Binaries

Binaries are the plural form of binary, and the term is used in several fields to denote a pair of related components or a base-2 encoding. In computing and digital technology, binary refers to the base-2 numeral system, which uses only the digits 0 and 1. This system underpins computer hardware and software, enabling representation, processing, and storage of information. Binary arithmetic and logic gates implement addition, subtraction, and decision making within processors and circuits.

In data storage, a binary file is any file that is not plain text. Such files contain data in binary form and are intended to be interpreted by programs. Examples include executable programs, images, audio, and many data formats. Text files, in contrast, are designed for human readability and use character encodings.

In astronomy, a binary star system consists of two stars bound by gravity and orbiting a common center of mass. Binaries are important for measuring stellar masses and testing theories of stellar evolution. They can be visual, spectroscopic, or eclipsing, with observations revealing orbital parameters and component properties.

Beyond these, the concept of binaries appears in other domains as well, representing any system composed of two interconnected parts, such as binary choices or binary classification in machine learning.