In Computing, What is Binary?

In Computing, What is Binary?

Those of us that actually spend a bit of time around computers will come across this term eventually.  But what does it actually mean?  Binary is a computer numbering system that only uses the number 1(one) and 0(zero) to represent all other numbers.

In school, we were all taught the decimal system.  We used numbers from 0-9 for the ones spot (first digit).  Then for the second character we start over with using 0-9 again (the 10 spot).  And the 3rd character is the hundreds spot.  And so on.  I'm sure you remember this from grade school.

In the Binary numbering system, will only use the numbers 0 or 1 for all of the spots.  Huhhh..!?  Ok, let me explain.  It's actually pretty simple as well.

Generally speaking, binary systems can be anything which offers only two options, not necessarily limited to numerical systems. In the case of electronic switches, for example, the system consists of current or no current. A true false exam is another example. Yes and no questions are also binary in nature.

In the example above, the number 2012 consists of 2x1000 + 0x100 + 1x10 + 2x1.  Bringing back those elementary school memories?  :)

But in the Binary world, say you only have 0 or 1 to choose from.  Not 0,1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9.

Then we refer to this simple chart to see the values.

Study the chart above for a second and see why 22 is written 10110.  You will be able to see why 16+4+2=22.  The first step is to find the largest number that will "go into" into the number.  For example, if we wanted to find the binary number for 20, than the largest number from the table that fits into 20 would be 16.  So you would place a 1 in the 16 column.   We now have a remainder of 4, put another 1 in that column.  All other columns would contain a 0.  So we get 10100.  Pat yourself on the back.  You are now Binary Code fluent!  :)

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