ABSTRACT
In Chapter 2, we saw that the digital computer operates by moving electrical current through its component parts. We must then find a way to convert information into a binary representation. We may then examine how to compute using binary. In this chapter, we study the binary numbering system. The chapter covers conversion methods from binary to decimal and decimal to binary for unsigned (positive) integers, negative integers, fractional, and floating point numbers. The chapter also introduces the octal and hexadecimal numbering systems. Character representations are discussed. The chapter then turns to binary (Boolean) operations and how to compute with them. Finally, the chapter introduces three example uses of binary: network addressing, image files, and parity for error detection and correction.
