Bijoy vs Unicode: What's the Difference?
Understanding the difference between Bijoy and Unicode is crucial for anyone working with Bengali text. This guide explains everything you need to know.
Quick Answer
Bijoy uses ANSI encoding (non-standard) while Unicode uses the international standard. Unicode is the future and works everywhere, while Bijoy only works with specific software and fonts.
What is Bijoy?
Bijoy (বিজয়) is a Bengali keyboard layout and encoding system developed in the 1980s-1990s by Mustafa Jabbar. It uses ANSI encoding with custom character mappings that revolutionized Bengali typing in Bangladesh and West Bengal.
Bijoy Characteristics:
- Uses ANSI encoding (non-Unicode)
- Requires Bijoy fonts to display correctly
- Popular versions: Bijoy 52, Bijoy Classic, Bijoy Bayanno
- Dominant in offline publishing and printing
- Limited to specific software and platforms
What is Unicode?
Unicode is the international standard for text encoding that assigns a unique number to every character in every language. For Bengali, Unicode provides a standardized way to represent all characters that works universally.
Unicode Characteristics:
- International standard (ISO/IEC 10646)
- Works on all devices and platforms
- No special fonts required
- Web-ready and mobile-friendly
- Searchable and indexable by search engines
- Future-proof technology
Comparison Table: Bijoy vs Unicode
| Feature | Bijoy | Unicode |
|---|---|---|
| Encoding | ANSI (Non-standard) | Unicode (International Standard) |
| Compatibility | Limited to Bijoy software | Works everywhere (universal) |
| Font Requirement | Requires Bijoy fonts | Any Bengali Unicode font |
| Web Support | Poor (needs fonts) | Excellent (native support) |
| Mobile Support | Limited/Non-existent | Full native support |
| Search Engines | Not searchable | Fully searchable & indexable |
| Future-proof | No (legacy system) | Yes (modern standard) |
| Cost | Paid software (usually) | Free (Avro, etc.) |
| Best For | Print/Desktop publishing | Web, mobile, modern apps |
When to Use Bijoy vs Unicode
Use Bijoy When:
- Working with legacy print systems
- Required by specific publishers
- Dealing with old Bijoy documents
- Using traditional desktop publishing software
Note: Bijoy usage is declining as platforms migrate to Unicode.
Use Unicode When:
- Publishing content on websites
- Using social media or messaging apps
- Creating mobile-friendly content
- Sharing across different platforms
- Future-proofing your content
✓ Recommended for all new projects
Why Migrate from Bijoy to Unicode?
- Universal Compatibility: Unicode works on Windows, Mac, Linux, Android, iOS, and all web browsers without special fonts.
- Web & Mobile Ready: Essential for websites, emails, social media, and mobile apps.
- SEO Benefits: Search engines can properly index and rank Unicode Bengali content.
- No Font Dependencies: Unicode works with system fonts - no need to install or embed special fonts.
- International Standard: Unicode is maintained by the Unicode Consortium and supported globally.
- Free Tools: Free typing tools like Avro Keyboard make Unicode typing easy.
Convert Bijoy to Unicode Now
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