Step 1: Determine the UTF-8 encoding bit layout
The character ⃞ has the Unicode code point U+20DE. In UTF-8, it is encoded using 3 bytes because its codepoint is in the range of
0x0800to0xffff.
Therefore we know that the UTF-8 encoding will be done over 16 bits within the final 24 bits and that it will have the format:1110xxxx 10xxxxxx 10xxxxxx
Where thexare the payload bits.UTF-8 Encoding bit layout by codepoint range Codepoint Range Bytes Bit pattern Payload length U+0000 - U+007F 1 0xxxxxxx 7 bits U+0080 - U+07FF 2 110xxxxx 10xxxxxx 11 bits U+0800 - U+FFFF 3 1110xxxx 10xxxxxx 10xxxxxx 16 bits U+10000 - U+10FFFF 4 11110xxx 10xxxxxx 10xxxxxx 10xxxxxx 21 bits Step 2: Obtain the payload bits:
Convert the hexadecimal code point U+20DE to binary:
00100000 11011110. Those are the payload bits.Step 3: Fill in the bits to match the bit pattern:
Obtain the final bytes by arranging the paylod bits to match the bit layout:
11100010 10000011 10011110
COMBINING ENCLOSING SQUARE·U+20DE
⃞
Character Information
Code Point
U+20DE
HEX
20DE
Unicode Plane
Basic Multilingual Plane
Category
Enclosing Mark
Character Representations
Click elements to copy| Encoding | Hex | Binary |
|---|---|---|
| UTF8 | E2 83 9E | 11100010 10000011 10011110 |
| UTF16 (big Endian) | 20 DE | 00100000 11011110 |
| UTF16 (little Endian) | DE 20 | 11011110 00100000 |
| UTF32 (big Endian) | 00 00 20 DE | 00000000 00000000 00100000 11011110 |
| UTF32 (little Endian) | DE 20 00 00 | 11011110 00100000 00000000 00000000 |
HTML Entity
⃞
URI Encoded
%E2%83%9E
Description
The Unicode character U+20DE, known as the COMBINING ENCLOSING SQUARE, is a lesser-known but fascinating typographic element. Its primary role in digital text is to visually enclose or group specific characters, symbols, or groups of text without altering their inherent properties or layout. This allows for enhanced clarity and organization within textual content, particularly in mathematical expressions, linguistic annotations, and scientific notations. Although this character may appear niche, it holds significant cultural, linguistic, and technical importance. In various fields such as mathematics, computer science, and typography, the COMBINING ENCLOSING SQUARE is used to enhance readability and improve the understanding of complex expressions or notations. Furthermore, its usage extends to the representation of specific phonetic or linguistic features in certain languages, where it may serve as a visual indicator for enclosing sounds or syllables. The COMBINING ENCLOSING SQUARE is a testament to the versatility and comprehensiveness of the Unicode Standard, demonstrating how a single character can provide value across diverse contexts and applications while adhering to strict accuracy and functionality requirements.
How to type the ⃞ symbol on Windows
Hold Alt and type 8414 on the numpad. Or use Character Map.