Computer Technology - Binary Data

Binary data is the foundation of all computing. Inside a computer, everything—software, documents, images, and videos—is stored and processed using only two values: 0 and 1.

Quick Links

Bit Storage Combining Bits Conversions Byte Summary

Computers use binary because electronic systems can easily represent two states, such as on/off or charged/not charged.

1. Bit (Binary Digit)

The smallest unit of data in a computer is a bit.

A bit can only be 0 or 1
It cannot store letters or large numbers alone

Examples:

0 = off
1 = on

2. How Data Is Stored

Computers store bits differently depending on the hardware used.

Hard Disk Drive (HDD)

Uses magnetism:

1 = magnetic charge
0 = no charge

Memory / SSD

Uses electrical signals:

1 = charge on
0 = charge off

3. Combining Bits

Multiple bits allow computers to represent more values:

Bits	Values	Range
1	2	0–1
2	4	0–3
3	8	0–7
8	256	0–255

4. Example Conversions

2-bit: 00=0, 01=1, 10=2, 11=3

3-bit: 000–111 = 0–7

5. Byte

A byte = 8 bits.

Stores 256 values
Represents one character

Summary

Computers use binary (0s and 1s)
Bit = smallest unit
Byte = 8 bits
Binary enables all computing

TECHNOLOGY