FEDERAL INFORMATION PROCESSING STANDARDS PUBLICATION, 1970 ANNOUNCING THE STANDARD FOR SUBSETS OF THE STANDARD CODE FOR INFORMATION INTERCHANGE

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP78-04723A000100150004-6
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: K
• Document Page Count: 19
• Document Creation Date: December 12, 2016
• Document Release Date: July 24, 2000
• Sequence Number: 4
• Publication Date: January 1, 1970
• Content Type: REGULATION

Approved For Release 2002/01/29 : CIA-RDP78-04723A000100150004-6
*DOC Exemption Letter, In EUR File*
Federal Information
Processing Standards Publication _
, 1970
Announcing the Standard for
SUBSETS OF THE STANDARD CODE
FOR INFORMATION INTERCHANGE
Federal Information Processing Standards Publications are issued by the
National Bureau of Standards under the direction of the Bureau of the Budget-
in accordance with the provisions of Public Law 89-306 and Bureau of the
Budget Circular No. A-86.
Name of Standard. Subsets of the Standard Code for Information Interchange
(FIPS ) .
Category of Standards. Hardware Standard, Interchange Codes and Media.
Explanation. Subsets of 95, 64 and 16 graphic characters are provided in
this standard. These are derived from the Federal Standard Code for Infor-
mation Interchange (FIPS 1) which in turn was adopted from the USA Standard
Code for Information Interchange (ASCII, USA Standard X3.4 - 1967).
The memorandum of the Secretary of Commerce on "Application of Federal ADP
Code and Media Standards" dated March 7, 1969, contained in FIPS PUB 7, states
in paragraph Sc: "If the full character set of ASCII cannot be applied, the
largest possible character subset should be used, and the ASCII collating
sequence observed.", That memorandum also states, in paragraph 8b: "Use
of one or more of these ASCII subsets is a powerful tool in bridging the con-
version gap prior to the procurement or utilization of hardware with full
ASCII capability." This FIPS PUB amends FIPS PUB 7 by requiring one of the
three specific subsets described herein when a subset is used. It is empha-
sized that the coded representation of the 95 character subset, the 64
character subset and the 16 character subset in input/output media and data
communications will conform to the specifications cited in other applicable
Federal Information Processing Standards.
Approving Authority. Bureau of the Budget
Maintenance Agency. Department of Commerce, National Bureau of Standards
(Center for Computer sciences and Technology).
Cross Index.
a.
FIPS PUB 1, Code for Information Interchange
b.
FIPS PUB 7, Implementation of the Code for Information
Interchange and Related Media Standards
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 Approved For Release 2002/01/29 : CIA-RDP78-04723A000100150004-6
-Applicability. These character subsets are intended to be used in those
systems or applications that do not require the full 128 character set
contained in FIPS 1. The use of the 64 or 16 character graphic subsets
in lieu of the full set of 95 graphics, where appropriate, can result in
advantageous combinations of increased speed of printing or display,
decreased costs, decreased complexity, and efficient manipulation.
Implementation Schedule. All equipment brought into the Federal inventory
(six months after the publication date of this standard) which utilizes a
character subset less than that provided by the 128 character set of FIPS 1
must conform to one of the specified subsets provided herein. This require-
ment applies to the equipment acquired even though the use within any given
application may in fact use less characters than specified in the applicable
subset. In instances where deviations from this standard are considered
necessary, the waiver provisions contained in FIPS PUB 7 apply.
Specifications. Federal Information Processing Standard (FIPS ),
Subsets of the Standard Code for Information Interchange, (date) (affixed).
Qualifications.
Compatibility with Full Character Set: Systems and applications
employing standard character subsets should experience no difficulty
in forwarding information via standard media or communications, to
systems employing the full 128 character set.
Subset Recording: Systems and applications employing standard character
subsets, will use the standard media and the standard code for recording
the characters of the subset in input/output and interchange operations.
Two (2) input/output media standards have been approved as Federal Information
Processing Standards (FIPS 2 and 3). The adoption of additional input/output
media standards will be announced in future FIPS PUBS.
Where to Obtain Copies of the Standards.
a. Copies of this publication are for sale by the Superintendent of
Documents, U.S. Government Printing Office, Washington, D. C. 20402.
Refer to Federal Information Processing Standards Publication (Price
- cents a copy).
b. This publication may be copied and locally reproduced to meet agency
requirements.
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 Approved For Release 2002/01/29 : CIA-RDP78-04723A000100150004-6
Federal Information
Processing Standard _
Date
Specifications For
Subsets of the Standard Code
for Information Interchange
1. Name of Standard. Subsets of the Standard Code for Information Interchange
2. Category of Standard. Hardware Standard Interchange Codes and Media
3. Specifications. This specification provides standard subsets of the Code for
Information Interchange (FIPS 1). Each subset is defined in detail in separate
sections of this specification which follow.
Section 1
- 95
Character Graphic Subset
Section 2
- 64
Character Graphic Subset
Section 3
- 16
Character Graphic Numeric Subset
4. Appendix. Factors which were considered in the establishment of these subsets
are explained in an appendix to this specification. Also information is provided
concerning the employment of these subsets in computers and devices based on
internal codes of four or six bits.
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 Approved For Release 2002/01/29 : CIA-RDP78-04723A000100150004-6
Section 1
Specifications for
95 Character
Graphic Character Subset
Explanation. This graphic character subset is
derived from the Federal Standard Code for Information
Interchange (FIPS 1) which in turn was adopted
from the USA Standard Code for Information Interchange
(ASCII). This character subset is intended to
be used in those systems or applications whose
needs are adequately served by a 95 character graphic
subset of the standard 128 character set contained
in FIPS 1. Figure 1 shows the 7-bit code table of
FIPS 1 with the 95 character graphic subset of
this standard outlined. It is emphasized that
the coded representation of this 95 character subset
in input/output media and data communications will
conform to the specifications cited in other applicable
Federal Information Processing Standards.
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 Approved For Release 2002/01/29 : CIA-RDP78-04723A000100150004-6
Standard 95 Character Subset:
Code Table
Position in
FIPS 1
Column/Row
S mbol
Character Name
2/0
Space (Normally Non-Printing
2/1
Exclamation Point
2/2
Quotation Marks (Diaeresis)
2/3
Number Sign
2/4
Dollar Sign
2/5
Percent
2/6
Ampersand
2/7
Apostrophe (Closing Single Quotation
Mark; Acute Accent)
2/8
Opening Parenthesis
2/9
Closing Parenthesis
2/10
Asterisk
2/11
Plus
2/12
Comma (Cedilla)
2/13
Hyphen (Minus)
2/14
Period (Decimal Point)
2/15
Slant
3/0 0
Zero
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 Column/Row
pproved For Release 2002/01/29 :
Symbol
CIA-RDP78-04723A000100150004-6
Character Name
3/1
One
3/2
Two
3/3
Three
3/4
Four
3/5
I
5
Five
3/6
6
Six
3/7
7
Seven
3/8
8
Eight
3/9
9
Nine
3/10
Colon
3/11
Semicolon
3/12
<
Less Than
3/13
=
Equals
3/14
>
Greater Than
3/15
?
Question Mark
4/0
@
Commercial At
4/1 to 5/0
5/11
Opening Bracket
5/12
Reverse Slant
5/13
Closing Bracket
5/14
Circumflex
5/15
Underline
6/0
Grave Accent (Opening Single Quotation
Mark)
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 proved For Release 2002/01/29 : CIA-RDP78-04723A000100150004-6
Column/Row Symbol Character Name
Opening Brace
Vertical Line
Closing Brace
Overline (Tilde; General Accent)
Note: Use of certain of the above characters as diacritical marks is defined
in Appendix A of the Code for Information Interchange (FIPS 1).
Approved For Release 2002/01/29 : CIA-RDP78-04723A000100150004-6
 Approved For Release 2002/01/29 : CIA-RDP78-04723A000100150004-6
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Approved For Release 2002/01/29: CIA-RDP78-04723A000100150004-6
 Approved For Release 2002/01/29 : CIA-RDP78-04723A000100150004-6
Special Information
Systems and applications employing this 64 character
set, when receiving information via standard media
or communications from systems employing the full
95 character set should make provision to "fold over"
the characters in columns 6 and 7 (except Delete)
into the corresponding positions of columns 4 and
5. Any lower case letters received will print or
display as upper case letters. This feature is desirable
in most instances, but is not mandatory for applications
requiring some other interpretation of the characters
in column 6 and 7.
Approved For Release 2002/01/29 : CIA-RDP78-04723A000100150004-6
 Approved For Release 2002/01/29 : CIA-RDP78-04723A000100150004-6
Section 3
Specifications for
16 Character Graphic
Numeric Subset
Explanation. This numeric subset is derived from
the Federal Standard Code for Information Interchange
(FIPS 1) which in turn was adopted from the USA Standard
Code for Information Interchange (ASCII). This subset
is intended to be used in those systems or applications
whose needs are adequately served by a 16 character
numeric subset of the standard 128 character set contained
in FIPS 1. Figure 3 shows the 7-bit code table of FIPS
1 with the 16 character graphic subset of this standard
outlined. It is emphasized that the coded representation
of this 16 character subset in input/output media and
data communications will conform to the specifications
cited in other applicable Federal Information Processing
Standards.
Approved For Release 2002/01/29 : CIA-RDP78-04723A000100150004-6
 Approved For Release 2002/01/29 : CIA-RDP78-04723A000100150004-6
Standard
Code Table
Position
Symbol Character Name
0 Zero
1. One
3/4
3/5
3/6
3/7
3/8
3/9
2/10
2/11
2/12
2/13
2/14
Two
Three
Four
Five
Six
Seven
Eight
Nine
Asterisk
Plus
Comma
Hyphen (Minus)
Period (Decimal Point)
Slant
2/15 /
Approved For Release 2002/01/29 : CIA-RDP78-04723A000100150004-6
 Approved For Release 2002/01/29 : CIA-RDP78-04723A000100150004-6
Special Information
Systems and applications employing this limited 16 character
set, when receiving information via standard media or
communications from systems employing the full 128 character
set, the 95 character graphic set or the 64 character
graphic subset, should ignore all characters outside
of this numeric subset. This feature is desirable in
most instances, but is not mandatory for applications
requiring some other interpretation of the characters
outside of this numeric subset.
Approved For Release 2002/01/29 : CIA-RDP78-04723A000100150004-6
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Approved For Release 2002/01/29-aCIA-RDP78-04723A000100150004-6
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Approved For Release 2002/01/29 : CIA-RDP78-04723A000100150004-6
 Approved For Release 2002/01/29 : CIA-RDP78-04723A000100150004-6
Appendix
The Code for Information Interchange (FIPS 1) contains 128 characters of which
95 in the last six columns (columns 2 through 7) are designated as a graphic
subset. Contained in this graphic subset arc two cases (upper and lower) of
the alphabetic letters A through Z, the numerals 0 through 9, and common
punctuation, mathematical and business symbols.
Not all applications have need for the full 128 characters contained in the
standard code set. Some require only the graphics (95 characters). Others
need only use a single case alphabet, the numbers, and certain special symbols
(64 characters). Further, some applications dealing with data of a mathematical
or numeric nature need only the numerics and certain mathematical symbols (16
characters) .
Accordingly, it is necessary to recognize the economies to be achieved in
providing adequate subsets of the standard code which are consistent with
the requirements of these various applications. Likewise, it is essential
in order to facilitate the interchange of data and equipment within Federal
government that a family of discrete subsets be identified and standardized.
The consequences and costs of an unlimited number of subsets are of such a
magnitude that it is reasonable and practical to establish a limited
group of subsets which meet most data systems requirements. This fundamental
consideration was taken into account in the development of the standard code
for information interchange. Characters were positioned in the Code in such
a manner as to facilitate the identification and use of subsets. Columns 2
through 7 form the 95 character graphic subset. Columns 2 through 5 provide
a 64 character subset and the ten numerals in column 3 and the six mathematical
symbols at the bottom of column 4 provide 16 character numeric subset. (These
six mathematical symbols were placed in column 2 instead of column 3 so that
they would collate lower than the numerals in the context of the full char-
acter set. Also they were assigned to the bottom of the column so that their
low order four bits are distinct from the low order four bits of the ten
numerals, in order to be distinguishable in those instances where numerics
are coded by four bits in internal machine environments without further
manipulation.)
It is also recognized that many computers and devices already in the
Federal inventory and even some new equipment are based upon an internal
code of four or six bits. In these instances the standard code can
be represented internally by six bits by suppressing bit b6 and can
be represented by four bits by suppressing bits b7, b6, and b5. These
limited internal representations are then expanded to the standard
seven bits when transmitting data to other devices.
Approved For Release 2002/01/29 : CIA-RDP78-04723A000100150004-6
 Ap
Ap
UNCLASSIFIED .. CONFIDENTIAL SECRET
OFFICIAL ROUTING SLIP
TO
NAME AND ADDRESS
DATE
INITIALS
-lieputy Director for Support
l t ~ ?f
2
3
s s -~ -~ 5 2
NOV 1969
4
5
6
ACTION
DIRECT REPLY
PREPARE REPLY
APPROVAL
DISPATCH
RECOMMENDATION
COMMENT
FILE
RETURN
CONCURRENCE
INFORMATION
SIGNATURE
Remarks :
For review and direct response
in coordination with interested
elements and PPB. Please note
comments are requested as soon
as possible but no later than 1 Jan.
1970.
25X1A
cc: PP
FOLD HERE TO RETURN TO SEND
FROM: NAME. ADDRESS AND PHONE NO.
DATE
EA/Executive Director-
A
ELY c - -
10 N
ov69
FORM NO. 237 Use previous editions
1-67