Digital Data
Digital Data
Data is raw facts and figures and can be in the form of numbers, symbols or
alphanumeric characters before processing. .
As humans we use analogue data, such as sound or light waves and impulses
on our skin. Everything we see
and hear is a continuous transmission of analogue data to our senses.
Analogue data is great for us as we can process and understand it.
Computers cannot process analogue data, they are only capable of processing
digital data. Any data that we want a computer to process must first be
converted into digital data, This is data represented in the values 1 and 0 that
a computer can process.
Digital data is a type data stored using digits (0’s and 1’s).
A computer uses only two digits to store data the number 0’s and 1’s.
Every file stored in our computers are made up of zero’s and one’s
A computer can use digital data files to store , audio , video , text and images.
• Computers are powered by microprocessors. The microprocessor is the 'brain' of a computer. A
microprocessor is made up of millions of tiny electronic switches.
• The switches in a microprocessor are like any other switch. A switch can either be on or off.
• A microprocessor is called a digital device because it can only understand the two switch positions - on and
off. The on and off positions can be shown as 1 and O in binary.
• You have already learned that digital data is made up of l’s and O’ s.
• That is why a digital microprocessor can read digital data.
This means that all data must be converted to binary for a computer to be able to process it.
All of these can be converted to binary numbers and stored as
computer data:
• denary numbers
• letters and symbols
• sounds
• images.
BINARY & DECIMAL NUMBERS
The number system that a computers uses has two Look at the table of binary and decimal
numbers .Identify any difference and
different digits: 0 and 1, this is called binary number. similarities that you have noticed
Bi” in the word binary means 2. Decimal and Binary numbers
The binary numbers are used in calculations the same
Decimal Binary
way decimal numbers are used.
Decimal number system are the number system that we 100 1100100
use in math to solve day to day problems.
Storing text using Binary Numbers
A computer uses binary to store all media, binary can store text, images, sounds and even video.
When a computer uses binary to store media it uses codes.
2. Write down the eight extra digits used in the decimal system and are not used in binary.
Example 1 Example 2
QUICK CHECK