Written by the Fiveable Content Team โข Last updated August 2025
Verified for the 2026 exam
Verified for the 2026 examโขWritten by the Fiveable Content Team โข Last updated August 2025
Definition
The binary system is a number system that uses only two digits, 0 and 1, to represent values. It is commonly used in computer science because it aligns with the on/off nature of electronic circuits.
A byte is a unit of digital information that consists of eight bits. It is often used as the fundamental building block for storing and transmitting data.