In general, in [[computing]], an '''alphanumeric code''' is a code to encode letters and numbers (hence the name) into a form understandable and processable by a computer. One such alphanumeric code is [[ASCII]].
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More specifically, in computer underground terminology '''alphanumeric code''' is [[machine code]] that is written so that it assembles into entirely readable [[ASCII]]-letters such as "a"-"z", "A"-"Z", "1"-"9", "#", "!", "@", and so on.
This is possible to do with a (very) good understanding of the [[assembly language]] for the specific computer that the code is intended for.
This code is used by [[Cracker (computing)|cracker]]s with the intent of fooling applications, such as Web forms, into accepting code used for [[exploit (computer science)|exploit]]. Typically, such exploits involve [[buffer overflow]]s.
Sometimes, alphanumeric code could also be used when the programmer needs to write a program but does not have access to any [[compiler]] or [[assebly language|assember]]. All that is needed to write a alphanumeric program is a text editor.