ENDCHAR

ENDCHAR is a term used in computing to denote a sentinel character that marks the end of a sequence of characters or a data unit within a specific context. It is not a printable glyph in general, but a control value or reserved code that signals parsers, decoders, or processors where content ends.

In programming and data formats, ENDCHAR serves to terminate strings, records, or streams. For example, many languages rely on an end-of-string marker such as a null character to indicate the finish of a string, while other systems use length prefixes rather than a terminator. In communication protocols and file formats, ENDCHAR can act as a frame or block delimiter; when the ENDCHAR may appear in data, escaping or stuffing techniques are commonly employed to preserve data integrity and prevent accidental termination.

Design considerations for ENDCHAR include ensuring a low likelihood of accidental appearance in normal data, or implementing robust escaping mechanisms when the terminator can appear within content. Some systems pair an ENDCHAR with verification methods like checksums or framing rules to detect corruption or misalignment.

Common patterns and examples of ENDCHAR usage include frame delimitation in networking protocols where a specific byte marks the end of a frame, and the conventional NUL terminator in C-style strings. In practice, the exact ENDCHAR value and its handling are defined by a given specification or protocol, and may vary across domains.

See also: end-of-string, null character, frame delimiter, escape sequences.