An access code is a series of numbers and/or letters that allow access to a particular system. An access code may be a password, although passwords are generally used in conjunction with usernames. Access codes need not be attached to a specific user; many users could use the same access code for a specific system or object without being identified as a specific user.
The access code is also used for authentication. In telecommunications, an access code is required before a user can be connected to a specific region. National access codes are used in dialing domestic numbers, while international access codes are used in dialing international numbers. A PIN is also a sort of access code that is shared between a specific user and the system. Access codes are also used in digital systems, behaving like a locked door to limit access from the outside world. A person must have the key to gain access to the system, which is the access key or code.
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