Binärnotation

Binärnotation, also known as binary notation, is a numeral system that represents numbers using only two symbols: 0 and 1. It is the foundation of modern digital computing, where binary digits (bits) serve as the basic units of data. Unlike decimal notation, which is base-10 and uses ten symbols (0-9), binary is a base-2 system, enabling efficient representation and manipulation of data within electronic circuits.

In binary notation, each digit's position corresponds to a power of two, with the rightmost digit representing 2^0. Combining these digits according to their positional values allows the expression of any integer. For example, the binary number 1011 translates to decimal as (1×2^3) + (0×2^2) + (1×2^1) + (1×2^0) = 8 + 0 + 2 + 1 = 11.

Binary notation is crucial in computer architecture and digital electronics because electronic devices naturally operate in two states—on and off, represented by high and low voltage levels. This simplifies hardware design and reduces errors in data transmission and storage.

Beyond integers, binary notation is used to encode various data types, including characters (ASCII), instructions, and multimedia signals. The simplicity of base-2 makes binary an efficient system for processing, transmitting, and storing information in computing systems.

Historically, binary concepts are linked to ancient numbering systems, but their practical implementation in digital technology emerged in the 20th century with the development of electronic computers. Today, binary notation remains central to computer science and digital engineering.