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1.2 | |
Network Math | |
| 1.2.1 | |
Binary presentation of data |
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Computers work with and store data using
electronic switches that are either ON or OFF. Computers can only
understand and use data that is in this two-state or binary format.
1 is represented by an ON state, and 0 is represented by an OFF
state. The ones and zeros are used to represent the two possible
states of an electronic component in a computer. They are referred to
as binary digits or bits.
The American Standard Code for
Information Interchange (ASCII) is the most commonly used code for
representing alpha-numeric data in a computer.
Because computers are designed to work with ON/OFF switches, binary digits and binary numbers are natural to them. Humans use the decimal number system, which is relatively simple when compared to the long series of 1s and 0s used by computers. So the computer binary numbers need to be converted to decimal numbers. Sometimes binary numbers need to be
converted to Hexadecimal (hex) numbers which reduces a long string of
binary digits to
a few hexadecimal characters. This makes it easier to remember and to work
with the numbers.
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ASCII uses binary digits to represent the symbols typed on the
keyboard. When computers send ON/OFF states over a network,
electrical, light, or radio waves are used to represent the 1s and
0s. Notice that each character has a unique pattern of eight binary
digits assigned to represent the character. 
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