0b110001100001

0b110001100001 is a binary literal that uses the 0b prefix to indicate base-2 notation. In many programming languages, this form denotes an integer written directly in binary, with the digits following the prefix representing powers of two from most significant to least significant bit.

The bit pattern 110001100001 consists of 12 bits. As an unsigned (non-signed) value, it equals 3169 in decimal and corresponds to the hexadecimal value 0xC61. The individual bits set in the pattern are at positions 11, 10, 6, 5, and 0 (counting from 0 as the least significant bit), which sum to 2^11 + 2^10 + 2^6 + 2^5 + 2^0 = 3169.

When interpreted as a signed integer, the meaning of the same bit pattern depends on the chosen width and sign convention. In a 12-bit two's complement representation, 110001100001 represents -927. In a 12-bit one's complement representation, the same pattern would represent -926. These distinctions illustrate how binary literals can have different numeric values depending on context, even though the bit pattern is identical.

Beyond numeric value, such a binary literal can function as a bit mask or flag field in low-level programming, where each set bit toggles a corresponding feature or piece of state. The specific interpretation is determined by the surrounding code, data structures, and the system’s bit width.