Most computer operations involve manipulation of data stored in various memories. The smallest unit of computer memory is called a bit. When a bit is set its value is taken to be equal to 1 and when it is reset its value is taken to be 0. Thus, a bit can have one of the two values, i.e., 0 or 1. In electronics, memory circuits are called flip-flops. A flip-flop is the name given to a memory circuit which behaves in a manner similar to a switch. When a switch is set on, there is high voltage at its output and it remains on till it is reset ill which case the voltage at its output terminal becomes 0. Similarly, when a flip-flop is set its value is taken as 1 and when it is reset its value becomes 0. One flip-flop represents one bit of memory. The output state can be manipulated according to the input signal to the flip-flop. Since bits are extremely small units of memory, in computer programs we often deal with groups of bits. A group of 8 bits is called a byte. [Read more…] about Bits and Bytes

Computer is a collection of digital electronic circuits in which the memory circuits play a major role. The input to as well as outputs from the microprocessor are all expressed in terms of voltages applied on the specified set of terminals meant for input and outputs, respectively. We may code the high value of voltage (typical value 5 V) as 1 and low value of voltage (typical value 0) as 0. Thus, an instruction to the microprocessor of the computer may be represented as a sequence of 0s and 1s (ones and zeros), such as 11001001. These ones and zeros are electronic signals that tell the computer what to do. In fact, microprocessors are designed to carry out a large number of instructions. The manufacturers supply the set of instructions and their respective codes. [Read more…] about What is Machine Code or Machine Language?

A byte is a group of eight bits. Bit, short for Binary digit,which can represent any number in the range 00000000 To 11111111 Binary, or 0 To 255 Decimal. From the early days of digital computing, it is the basic unit of information within a computer, equal to a 1 or a 0. It is used to measure both memory size (Kilobytes, Megabytes) and data transfer speed (Kilobytes per second). Eight individual electronic on/off signals, strung together to make a message that the computer can interpret. Bits are stored within the computer’s microchips and are led by control the flow of electrical currents; a 1 is represented by an “on” or high voltage electrical current, and a 0 is represented by an “off” or low current. A byte is formed by combining eight bits together to store the equivalent of one character. For example, the letter A (a single byte) is made up of the eight bits 01000001. [Read more…] about What is Byte?

Bit is short for Binary digit. A bit is a single digit, either a 1 or a 0, and it is the fundamental unit of information in computing, communications and physics. Binary numbers (bits) are stored within a computer’s microchips by turning an electrical current “on” or “off”; a 1 is represented by an “on” or high voltage current, and a 0 is represented by an “off” or low current. [Read more…] about What is Bit (Binary digit)?

The binary system is a method for working with numbers based on only two digits: 1 and 0 (binary is also known as “base two”). Binary numbers are the basis for computer storage. Input into the computer is changed into binary numbers that the computer can store and manipulate. A binary numbering system uses a series of 1’s and 0’s to represent any number. Non-numbers (such as the letter D) or characters (such as a question mark) are assigned an eight digit binary number so that they too can be represented within the computer. [Read more…] about What is Binary Numbers?

ASCII Stands for American Standard Code for Information Interchange (pronounced ‘as-key’).  This is a standard set of characters understood by all computers, consisting mostly of letters and numbers plus a few basic symbols such as $ and %. Which employs the 128 possible 7-bit integers to encode the 52 uppercase and lowercase letters and 10 numeric digits of the Roman alphabet, plus punctuation characters and some other symbols. The fact that almost everyone agrees on ASCII makes it relatively easy to exchange information between different programs, different operating systems, and even different computers. [Read more…] about What is ASCII Code?