Alphanumeric vs. Alpha — What's the Difference?

Alphanumericals are a combination of alphabetical and numerical characters, and is used to describe the collection of Latin letters and Arabic digits or a text constructed from this collection. Merriam-Webster suggests that the term "alphanumeric" may often additionally refer to other symbols, such as punctuation and mathematical symbols.In the POSIX/C locale, there are either 36 (A-Z and 0-9, case insensitive) or 62 (A-Z, a-z and 0-9, case-sensitive) alphanumeric characters.

Alpha (uppercase Α, lowercase α; Ancient Greek: ἄλφα, álpha, modern pronunciation álfa) is the first letter of the Greek alphabet. In the system of Greek numerals, it has a value of one.

Consisting of both letters and numbers.

The first letter of the Greek alphabet. See Table at alphabet.

Consisting of or using letters, numbers, punctuation marks, and mathematical and other conventional symbols

The first of a series; the beginning.

Consisting of, or limited to, letters and/or numbers, especially the characters A to Z (lowercase and uppercase) and 0 to 9.

(Astronomy) The brightest star in a constellation.

Consisting of these characters plus punctuation and other special characters.

The mathematical estimate of the return on a security when the return on the market as a whole is zero. Alpha is derived from a in the formula Ri = a + bRm, which measures the return on a security (Ri) for a given return on the market (Rm) where b is beta.

An alphanumeric character.

The return on an investment portfolio that can be attributed to the skill of the portfolio's manager rather than the performance of the market.

Of or pertaining to alphanumeric characters

Being the highest ranked or most dominant individual of one's sex. Used of social animals

Being in the first position relative to a designated carbon atom in an organic molecule at which an atom or a group may be substituted.

Referring to the first of a group of isomers, or molecules of similar origin or properties, determined arbitrarily by those who discover or classify them. Used in combination

Alphabetical.

The name of the first letter of the Greek alphabet (Α,  α), followed by beta. In the Latin alphabet it is the predecessor to A.

: the Latin letter Ɑ (minuscule: ɑ).

(science) The name of the symbols Α and α used in science and mathematics, often interchangeable with the symbols when used as a prefix.

(finance) The return of a given asset or portfolio adjusted for systematic risk.

A person, especially a male, who is dominant, successful and attractive; (see alpha male).

En

(software engineering) The first versions of a program, usually only available to the developer, and only tested by the developer.

(aviation) angle of attack.

(computer graphics) The level of translucency of a color, as determined by the alpha channel.

(statistics) The significance level of a statistical test; the alpha level.

(fandom) In omegaverse fiction, a person of a dominant secondary sex driven by biology, magic, or other means to bond with an omega, with males of this type often having canine-like genitalia.

Designates the first in an order of precedence.

(of person, object or action) Exhibiting characteristics of the alpha male/female archetype.

(star) Designates some bright star, usually the brightest star, of a constellation.

The first letter in the Greek alphabet, answering to A, and hence used to denote the beginning.

The 1st letter of the Greek alphabet

The beginning of a series or sequence;

First in order of importance;

Early testing stage of a software or hardware product;