What is binary code and how does it represent data?

Binary code is a data-encoding convention that represents information using sequences of zeros and ones, often called bit strings. It encompasses human-readable formats like text encodings as well as machine code that is read directly by computers. Alternative systems such as Gray code and binary-coded decimal provide specialized ways to order or format these binary digits for different engineering needs.

What we know

• Binary code uses a binary notation convention typically consisting of a sequence of zeros and ones known as a bit string. [1, 2]
• Binary code can represent both human-readable text conventions like ASCII and non-human-readable machine code or bytecode. [2]
• Gray code is an ordering of the binary numeral system where two successive values differ in only a single bit. [3]
• Binary-coded decimal encodes decimal numbers where each digit is represented by a fixed number of bits, usually four or eight. [4]

Where to go next

• a case in pointHow does ASCII text encoding work?
• how it workedWhat is Gray code used for?
• what followedWhere is binary-coded decimal used today?
• the bigger pictureWhat is the binary number system?
• compared withHow do hexadecimal and octal relate to binary?
• an unexpected connectionWhy would changing a single bit matter in digital television?Gray codes are used in digital terrestrial television and cable systems to facilitate error correction and prevent spurious outputs from switches.

Sources

• [1]binary code (Wikidata Q864135) · CC0 1.0
• [2]Binary code · CC BY-SA 4.0
• [3]Gray code · CC BY-SA 4.0
• [4]Binary-coded decimal · CC BY-SA 4.0
• [5]BCD (character encoding) · CC BY-SA 4.0