Do you think that Binary number system is essential for computers to understand and process the information ?

Answer 1

Computers don't 'understand' anything.

Answer 2

Wow, a lot of backlash for this question! I think it's because, as a friend of mine likes to say, computers don't like it when we anthropomorphize them. =)

The number system used by a computer really depends on the technology used "under the hood" in a computer. The technology used in the past and that currently in use make binary a wise choice. If transistors had ten states, we could potentially use the decimal number system with ease in computers. (However, we would have to account for the fact that most Electrical, Computer, and Software Engineers are already well trained in binary, and if the attempt to convert to the metric system in the US is an indicator, getting them to switch back to decimal could be difficult. =)

Also, there was a time when another number system was hip. Many years ago, it was fairly common to see octal as well as binary, but octal is related to binary, as 2^3 = 8, and the underlying hardware was still based on a two-state system.

A couple of other number systems also in use in computers are hexadecimal (2^4=16) and base64 (2^6=64), but once again, these number systems don't change the binary-ness of the hardware, they just make it easier to treat a whole bunch of binary digits as one unit (e.g. one hex digit = 4 binary digits).

Looking at your other questions, this better not be for an assignment or quiz or test! If it is, remember, I own these words, turn in your own words based on your understanding of what you have read for your work.

Answer 3

First computers were built based on binary number system and that drags on until now. For "processing" of information that is excellent. For "understanding" information, where "understanding" in human terms, that is actually a drawback. For instance, neuro-computers, built on non-binary neurological networks are much more efficient.

Answer 4

First things first: Computers don't _understand_ anything, they merely compute. The huge majority of computers use binary in their operation (not all though, take analogue computers or quantum computers as examples of types that don't use binary per se) - it is part of their design, so asking what a binary computer would be like without binary is a bit like asking what a sandwich would be like without bread or filling.

In that respect, your question is something of a nonsense.

Answer 5

Its everything a computer is built on. Of course its important. Without binary numbers, computers would not function.

Answer 6

Your question is redundant. A computer is a binary system and a little shot of electricity.

Answer 7

Everthing that happens on your computer is binary. You move your mouse ckick on something it all traces back to some binary code.

Answer 8

yes. very important. computer logic is binary