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What-is-binary

Binary is a base-2 numbering system that uses only two digits, 0 and 1, and is fundamental to computing systems for processing data. Each binary digit, or bit, represents the smallest unit of data, and combinations of bits form bytes, which can represent decimal numbers and text characters through ASCII codes. The binary system allows computers to perform various functions, including calculations, data storage, and user interactions.

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3 views

What-is-binary

Binary is a base-2 numbering system that uses only two digits, 0 and 1, and is fundamental to computing systems for processing data. Each binary digit, or bit, represents the smallest unit of data, and combinations of bits form bytes, which can represent decimal numbers and text characters through ASCII codes. The binary system allows computers to perform various functions, including calculations, data storage, and user interactions.

Uploaded by

onesiphoruszembe
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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What is binary?

Binary describes a numbering scheme in which there are only


two possible values for each digit -- 0 or 1 -- and is the basis
for all binary code used in computing systems. These systems
use this code to understand operational instructions and user
input and to present a relevant output to the user.

by Onesiphorus Zembe
Binary explained
Binary Computers

The binary numbering system was refined in the Computers can represent numbers using binary
17th century by Gottfried Leibniz. In mathematics code in the form of digital 1s and 0s inside the
and in computing systems, a binary digit, or bit, is central processing unit (CPU) and RAM. These
the smallest unit of data. Each bit has a single value digital numbers are electrical signals that are either
of either 1 or 0, which means it can't take on any on or off inside the CPU or RAM.
other value.
Binary vs. decimal
Binary Decimal

Since the binary system uses only two digits or bits In contrast, the decimal numbering system is a
and represents numbers using varying patterns of _base-10 system_, where each possible place in a
1s and 0s, it is known as a _base-2 system_. Here, 1 number can be one of 10 digits (0-9). In a multidigit
refers to "on" or "true," while 0 refers to "off" or number, the rightmost digit is in the first place, the
"false." digit next to it on the left is in 10th place, the digit
further left is in 100th place and so on.
The importance of binary code

1 Websites 2 Documents
view websites create and update documents

3 Games 4 Video
play games view streaming video and other kinds of
graphical information

5 Software 6 Calculations
access software perform calculations and data analyses
How binary numbers
work
The binary system is the primary language of computing
systems. Inside these systems, a binary number consists of a
series of eight bits. This series is known as a _byte_. In the
binary schema, the position of each digit determines its
decimal value. Thus, by understanding the position of each bit,
a binary number can be converted into a decimal number.
Example 1
Bit 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8
positio
n

Bit 0 0 0 1 0 1 1 0

Binary- 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27
to-
decimal
calculat
ion
(expon
ent)

Decima 1 2 4 8 16 32 64 128
l value
(x2)

As the bit position increases from one to eight, the previous decimal value is multiplied by two. That's why
the first bit has a value of 1, the second bit has a value of 2, the third bit has a value of 4 and so on.
Example 2
Bit 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8
positio
n

Bit 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1

Binary- 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27
to-
decimal
calculat
ion
(expon
ent)

Decima 1 2 4 8 16 32 64 128
l value

In this binary number, every bit has a value of 1, so _all_ the individual values are added.
Representing decimal numbers in binary
format
As mentioned earlier, the binary numbering system only works with 1s and 0s. However, the position of just
these two digits can represent many more numbers. The examples in the previous section show how any
decimal number from 0 to 255 can be represented using binary numbers. Numbers larger than 255 can also
be represented by adding more bits to an 8-bit binary number.
Converting binary
numbers into text
characters
Binary numbers can be translated into text characters using
American Standard Code for Information Interchange (ASCII)
codes to store information in the computer's RAM or CPU.
ASCII-capable applications, like word processors, can read
text information from the RAM or CPU. They can also store
text information that can then be retrieved by the user at a
later time. ASCII codes are stored in the ASCII table, which
consists of 128 text or special characters. Each character has
an associated decimal value.
Example
The binary code for ASCII lowercase HiH is 01101001A So; to
create the word HhiH; the binary number for HiH is added to
the binary number for HhHA This yields the following binary
number:

01101000 + 01101001 = 0110100001101001

In decimal terms; the decimal numbers for h and i are 104 and
105; respectivelyA

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