Binary Number System

Introduction

Few centuries ago, humans developed the number system to meet the counting and calculation requirements. However, with the increased mechanization, decimal numbers were unable to perform complex mathematical functions. This resulted in the development of the binary number system to cater to the Boolean logic which is present in the form of two states, i.e., True or False which is denoted using 1 and 0 (Foyd & Jain, 2008, pp. 16-20). With the evolution of computer devices, the binary system is widely used in digital encoding. In this report, a description of the binary number system and its application in information technology are discussed.

Binary Number System

A number is considered as an object which is used for counting, labeling and measuring. The number system is the written representation of the number. Binary number system uses has only two digits - 0 and 1. Due to the use of only two numbers, the base of the binary number system is considered as 2. It is one of the positional number systems which uses 2 as a base (Shmerko, Yanushkevich, & Lyshevski, 2018).  By the use of two symbols - 0 and 1, the numerical values are represented.  A positional notation with the radix as 2 is indicative of the base-2 system. It means that all the possible values in the binary number system uses only two digits i.e., 0s and 1s. Wherein, 1 indicates a true state while 0 shows the false state. In comparison, the decimal number system, items are counted using ten different symbols which is represented as 0,1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8 and 9.

According to Lincoln (2014, p. 10), the binary number system is considered as one of the simplest positional number systems. This is the major reason for its application in digital computer systems. The two digits, 1 and 0 represent the two states (off/on) which are especially used to instruct computers and store data in it. Each of these digits represents one bit which is also called as binary digit.

A bit is the smallest and basic unit of a computer memory. A binary digit (1 or 0) is called a bit. A group of bits results in a byte or a word, or code. For example, the 10 numerals (0, 1, 2, 3 .... 9) and the 26 letters of the English alphabet need 36 different combinations of 0 and 1. This means that for operating a computer, binary digits are required as it represent the alphanumeric characters. The concept of binary numbers holds a higher position in the modernized world, especially in computers and digitization (Tocci, Widmer, & Moss, 2011).

Digital Encoding - Application of Binary Number System in Information Technology

In digital systems, microprocessor and communication systems, operations are performed using circuits such as the OR, AND, NOT, NOR, and FLIP which are used to implement Boolean algebra (Lincoln, 2014). In a digital circuit, a binary digit is used to denote a bit which is represented as 0 and 1. It is such discrete system that makes up the fundamentals of the digital technology of today. There are two major reasons for using binary number system for computers. Firstly, it provides reliability and secondly it assists in reducing the circuitry required. This results in lowering the complexity thereby increasing space availability and reduces energy consumption and overhead costs required.

All computer languages and programming use a binary number system for digital encoding. Digital encoding process involves the depiction of data with restrained bits of information. This restrained information uses the binary system’s 0s and 1s (Foyd & Jain, 2008). For instance, the pixels of image in the computer are represented as a binary line to encode these images.  The binary digits are used to instruct the pixel to display a specific color or patterns based on 0s and 1s. For a 16-bit code, more than 65,536 colors can be shown by 2¹⁶.

Binary numbers are widely used in digital circuits which are indicated as logic “0” or logic “1”. It is suitable for digital signal coding through binary code, as it uses only two digits to generate different combination (Shmerko, Yanushkevich, & Lyshevski, 2018).  In digital signal processing, binary code signal is used. It comprises of a set of electrical pulses which represents alphanumerical and operations to be performed. To perform this operation, a clock is used which sends electric pulses. This is linked to a transistor which switches On-1 or Off-0 based on the binary digits input. When data to be transmitted are to be encoded, the alphanumeric are converted into binary digits and the arithmetic operations are converted into combinations of Boolean algebraic operations on binary numbers. Currently, this is widely used in communication systems where information is processed and transmitted.

Digital signal processing involves the use of specialized algorithms to process signals that are used by digital circuits. These comprise of audio, video, text and images. Most of the signal processes involve the use of filtering algorithms to improve the strength of encoded signal. Digital signal processing analyses and modifies binary encoded signal to enhance its efficiency and provide optimized outcome. It applies mathematical and computing algorithms to analog and digital signals resulting in high quality output  (Tocci, Widmer, & Moss, 2011). With the growing use of mobile devices and cloud computing, digital signal processing has become a key aspect.

Conclusion

With the evolution of integrated digital circuits in computers, information processing has become advanced. Digital circuits processes inputs into two logic states 1 and 0 resulting in an output comprising of these two digits. These two digits form the binary number system through which complex mathematical operations are performed. This has made digital circuits to be used for computational operations. Furthermore, conversion to the binary numbers allows the data processed to be stored in digital states without any losses. As of now, the binary number system is the powerhouse of computer systems across the globe and assists to perform complex computations and analytics and stay connected over the internet. 

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