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graphics based

Extended ASCII characters

)Refers to software and hardware that treat objects on a display screen as bit maps or geometrical shapes rather than as characters. In contrast, character-based systems treat everything as ASCII or extended ASCII characters.

All graphics software is by definition graphics based. Systems that manipulate text can also be graphics based; for example, desktop publishing systems are essentially graphics-based word processors.

Traditionally, most DOS applications -- word processors, spreadsheets, and database management systems -- have been character based. Windows and the Mac OS are graphics-based.



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