A plain-text file is one that contains only ASCII characters – no formatting or mark-up information. Plain-text files end with the extension .txt. Note that Microsoft Word documents ('.docx) and Rich-Text Format (.rtf) are not plain-text.

Here are some options for creating plain-text files include:

• *Spyder (both Mac and Windows). Create a new file in the editor window. When saving the file, give it a .txt file extension, for example: results.txt.

• Notepad in Windows. Notepad should save plain text files by default.

• WordPad in Windows. Use File → Save As... and select the option that allows you to save the file as a Text Document — rather than Rich Text Format (RTF), which is the default.

• TextEdit on the Mac. By default, TextEdit creates Rich-Text Format files (.rtf). To create plain-text, you must use the Make Plain Text command in the Format menu before saving the file.

Note: Some programs give you multiple options for plain text. If this is the case in your program, make sure that you do not select Unicode (UTF-16).

Please check your files in Gradescope after you submit them. If you click on the link for a file in Gradescope and see special symbols, it means that the file format is not correct.