Delete character

Not to be confused with delete key.

In computing, a delete character (, sometimes also called rubout) is the last character in the ASCII repertoire, with the code 127. Not a graphic character, it denoted as ^? in caret notation and has a graphic representation ␡ in Unicode like all ASCII control characters, while its meaning is a bit unclear.

There is no common method to input this character on modern keyboards, although in some environments (especially, Unix-like systems) the ← Backspace key may generate this code.

History

This code was originally used to mark deleted characters on punched tape, since any character could be changed to all ones by punching holes everywhere. If a character was punched erroneously, punching out all seven bits caused this position to be ignored (or deleted). On VT100 compatible terminals, this is the character generated by the key labelled ⌫, usually called backspace on modern machines, and does not correspond to the PC "Delete" key.^{[citation needed]}

Current use

Unix-like operating systems are known to use it as erase control character, i.e. to delete the previous character in the line mode. This, though, differs from its original function where this code replaced (physically) characters on a punched tape to be deleted.

DOS/Windows never used this character in any way, using the backspace (0x08, or control-H) to delete the previous character. EGA/VGA fonts, as fonts used by Win32 console, usually have the "house" symbol ⌂ at 127 (0x7F) code point, see CP437 for details.