Binary System

Definition

The binary system is a number system that uses only two digits, 0 and 1, to represent values. It is commonly used in computer science because it aligns with the on/off nature of electronic circuits.

Analogy

Think of the binary system like a light switch that can only be in two states: on or off. Just like the binary system uses 0 and 1 to represent values, a light switch uses two positions to represent the state of a light bulb - either it's on (1) or off (0).

Related terms

Decimal System: The decimal system is another number system we use daily, which consists of ten digits from 0 to 9.

Bit: A bit (short for binary digit) is the most basic unit of information in computing. It represents either a 0 or a 1.

Byte: A byte is a unit of digital information that consists of eight bits. It is often used as the fundamental building block for storing and transmitting data.