Binary code is the fundamental language of computers, using only two digits—0 and 1—to represent all data and instructions. Each digit is called a bit, and combinations of bits form binary code that computers can process. This system, known as base-2, aligns perfectly with the on/off states of electronic circuits in computer hardware.
- Bits and Bytes: A single bit is either 0 or 1. Eight bits make a byte, the standard unit for storing data.
- Representation: Binary code represents numbers, letters, symbols, and instructions. For example, the letter A is represented as 01000001 in ASCII binary.
- How It Works: Computers use binary to store and process information. When you save a file, it’s converted into binary and stored on a hard drive or SSD. Programs are compiled into machine code—binary instructions the CPU executes.
- Why Binary?: Digital systems use two states (on/off, high/low voltage), making binary ideal for reliable and efficient data handling.
Tools like ASCII and Unicode map characters to binary values, enabling text processing. While programmers use high-level languages, these are converted into binary for the computer to understand.
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