Getting to Know
Binary and ASCII
Binary and ASCII are fundamental building blocks of digital
information and communication. Understanding these core
concepts is essential for navigating the modern technological
landscape.
by Mark Joseph Camacho
What is Binary?
1 Digital Language 2 Building Blocks
Binary is a numeral These binary digits, or
system that uses only two "bits," are the smallest
digits, 0 and 1, to units of digital
represent all data in information and form the
computers and digital foundation of all
devices. computer processes.
3 Simplicity and Efficiency
The binary system's simplicity allows for efficient data
storage, processing, and communication in the digital world.
Binary Digits (Bits) and Bytes
Bits Bytes Higher Units
The smallest unit of digital A byte is a collection of 8 bits and Larger data units, such as
information, a bit can have a value is the fundamental unit for storing kilobytes, megabytes, and
of either 0 or 1. and processing data. gigabytes, are built upon the
foundation of bytes.
Binary Number System
1 Place Value
In the binary system, each digit (bit) has a place
value that is a power of 2, starting from the
rightmost bit.
2 Counting in Binary
Binary numbers are constructed by combining 0s
and 1s, with each position representing a different
power of 2.
3 Conversion to Decimal
Binary numbers can be converted to the more
familiar decimal system by summing the place
values of the 1s.
Decimal to Binary
Conversion
Divide by 2
To convert a decimal number to binary, repeatedly
divide the number by 2 and record the remainders.
Arrange Remainders
The binary representation is formed by arranging the
remainders in reverse order, starting with the rightmost
bit.
Example Conversion
For instance, converting the decimal number 25 to
binary results in the binary number 11001.
ASCII: The Standard for Text
Representation
Character Encoding Standardization
ASCII (American Standard The ASCII standard ensures
Code for Information universal understanding and
Interchange) is a character compatibility of text-based
encoding standard that assigns data across different computer
a unique numerical code to systems and platforms.
each character.
Limitations Expanded Standards
While effective for English- More recent standards, such as
based text, ASCII is limited in Unicode, have been developed
its ability to represent to address the limitations of
characters from other ASCII and support a wider
language scripts. range of characters.
ASCII Character Set and
Encoding
Character Binary Code Decimal Code
A 01000001 65
a 01100001 97
0 00110000 48
Space 00100000 32
Practical Applications of
Binary and ASCII
Data Storage Text Representation
Binary is the foundation for digital ASCII enables the standardized
data storage and processing in representation and communication
computers and other electronic of text-based information across
devices. digital platforms.
Mobile Communication Internet and Networking
Binary and ASCII are essential for The fundamental building blocks of
the transmission and display of binary and ASCII underpin the vast
data, including text, in mobile and interconnected world of digital
devices and networks. communication and the internet.
