Binary

What Is Binary?

In computer science, binary is a fundamental concept and the most basic form of computer code. The binary number system consists of only two numbers: “0” (zero) and “1” (one). Every value can be represented using this system.

In binary systems, each digit is referred to as a bit (short for binary digit). Each bit can either be 0 or 1, representing no electrical charge (off) or an electrical charge (on). Bits are grouped in sets of 8, called bytes, which are used to represent larger pieces of information like letters or numbers.

Binary is explained as the system that allows computers to perform calculations or store information using a system of switches with two states: “off or on” or “closed or open,” where each state is represented by 0 and 1.

Binary code, the machine-readable language used to run software, is the foundation for how all modern computers work. Computers rely on it to perform operations, typically using millions or billions of tiny switches (called transistors) that can be either on or off. Everything from software to data storage and Internet communications relies on binary code at the lowest level.

Most people, including developers and programmers, do not work directly with binary code. Instead, they use high-level programming languages (HLLs), visual tools, and AI coding tools, which computers translate into binary. Even tasks involving artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) models rely on software and tools that handle binary code in the background.

Table of Contents Table of Contents

1. What Is Binary?
2. Key Takeaways
3. How Binary Numbers Work
4. How to Convert Binary Numbers Into Text
5. 5 Free Online Binary Conversion Tools
6. Binary Uses
7. Binary System Pros and Cons
8. The Bottom Line
9. FAQs
10. References

Show Full Guide

Table of Contents

1. What Is Binary?
2. Key Takeaways
3. How Binary Numbers Work
Show Full Guide
4. How to Convert Binary Numbers Into Text
5. 5 Free Online Binary Conversion Tools
6. Binary Uses
7. Binary System Pros and Cons
8. The Bottom Line
9. FAQs
10. References

How Binary Numbers Work

Inside a computer, wires and circuits carry all the information. A single wire carrying an electrical signal can either be on or off, representing two states: 1 and 0. This single wire represents a bit. By combining multiple wires, computers use multiple bits to represent more complex information.

Consider the decimal numbering system. This is the system most people are familiar with and use to learn how to count. The decimal system uses ten digits: 0 through 9 (also known as base-10), to represent numbers. Decimal numbers operate on powers of 10, with the rightmost position being the 1s place (10⁰) and each subsequent position to the left increasing in value by powers of 10 (10s place, 100s place, and so on).

In contrast, the binary numbering system uses only two digits: 0 and 1 (also known as base-2) to represent numbers. Binary numbers operate on powers of 2, with the rightmost position representing the 1s place (2⁰) and each subsequent position to the left increasing in value by powers of 2 (2s place, 4s place, 8s place, and so on).

For example, the number 9 in binary is 1001:

• 8s place: 1
• 4s place: 0
• 2s place: 0
• 1s place: 1

To convert binary to decimal, calculate the total by multiplying each place by its positional value, then add the results:

• 1×8=8 (on)
• 0x4=0 (off)
• 0x2=0 (off)
• 1×1=1 (on)
• Total 8 + 1 = 9

Binary vs. Decimal System

How to Convert Binary Numbers Into Text

Binary numbers are converted into text using the American Standard Code for Information Interchange (ASCII). ASCII code is a way to encode characters based on the order of alphabetic characters in the English language.

Each letter in standard ASCII (e.g., A-Z, a-z, 0-9) is represented by 7-bits, allowing for 128 unique characters (0-127). Modern computers typically use extended ASCII – 8-bits (or 1 byte) to represent 256 characters (0 to 255), allowing for additional symbols and special characters.

How exactly does this convert binary numbers into text? Each ASCII code can be represented as a binary number. For example, the ASCII code for uppercase A is 65, which corresponds to 01000001 in binary.

Here is an example of “Techopedia” represented in 8-bit binary:

5 Free Online Binary Conversion Tools

There are many free online binary conversion tools that can convert decimal, binary, and ASCII numbers to each other.

Examples include:

• Binary Hex Converters
• Text to Binary
• Binary to Text
• Decimal to Binary
• Binary to Decimal

Binary Uses

Binary System Pros and Cons

The Bottom Line

The binary definition refers to the most basic form of computer code, representing data and instructions using only two numbers: 0 and 1. This system is the foundation for all modern computing, supporting everything from data storage to machine learning and cryptography.

Each binary digit, or bit, signals an electrical charge – either off (0) or on (1). While it enables computers to perform calculations faster, the binary numbering system is difficult for most people to read and comprehend compared to the decimal system.

Binary is essential to digital technology, enabling efficient operations, secure communication, and advancing applications such as AI and machine learning.

FAQs