Computer internal representation vs. character encoding: “A computer will use ASCII code to store information internally.” Decide whether this blanket statement is valid, considering that processors operate on binary data and that ASCII is only one of many encodings used for text.

Introduction / Context:
Computers fundamentally store and process binary patterns. ASCII is a widely used character encoding for representing text, but it does not define how all information is stored internally. This question tests understanding of the difference between raw binary representation, data types, and text encodings such as ASCII, UTF-8, and others.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• The statement claims computers use ASCII for internal storage in general.
• Internal data include instructions, integers, floating-point numbers, pointers, images, audio, and text.
• ASCII is a 7-bit code for textual characters; extended 8-bit variants and Unicode encodings also exist.

Concept / Approach:
Distinguish “binary representation” (bits and machine formats) from “character encoding” (mapping bytes to symbols). Only data that are text strings may use a character encoding. Numeric values, instructions, and multimedia use other binary formats defined by the ISA, IEEE 754, file formats, and codecs. Therefore, saying computers “use ASCII internally” overgeneralizes a specific text use-case to all data.

Step-by-Step Solution:

Verification / Alternative check:
Inspecting a process’s memory dump reveals a mixture of code, numeric data, pointers, and only some regions containing recognizable ASCII strings. Compilers and CPUs treat numbers and instructions as binary patterns unrelated to ASCII tables.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:

• Correct: Overgeneralizes; only text uses encodings.
• Only for text stored as plain characters: This is true but does not rescue the original blanket claim.
• Only in legacy 7-bit terminals: Too narrow and still not “all internal information.”
• Only for floating-point numbers: Floats use IEEE 754, not ASCII.

Common Pitfalls:
Confusing “human-readable” storage with all machine storage; assuming that because text prints as letters, everything is ASCII. Ignoring Unicode’s prevalence also leads to overstatements about ASCII.

Final Answer:
Incorrect