Data representation

This is an important concept. You should fully understand this.

This is a basic concept in computer science

Computers use binary - the digits 0 and 1 - to store data. A binary digit, or bit, is the smallest unit of data in computing. It is represented by a 0 or a 1. Binary numbers are made up of binary digits (bits), eg the binary number 1001. The circuits in a computer's processor are made up of billions of transistors. A transistor is a tiny switch that is activated by the electronic signals it receives. The digits 1 and 0 used in binary reflect the on and off states of a transistor. Computer programs are sets of instructions. Each instruction is translated into machine code - simple binary codes that activate the CPU. Programmers write computer code and this is converted by a translator into binary instructions that the processor can execute. All software, music, documents, and any other information that is processed by a computer, is also stored using binary.

Why is data stored in binary

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Do you understand this topic?

• What is ascii?

Do you have an advanced understanding about this topic?

• convert number to ASCII and vice-versa

See Also

• Binary

A unit of abstract mathematical system subject to the laws of arithmetic.