CIS3355: Business Data Structures
Fall, 2008
 

What does a BIT stand for??

BIT stands for Binary digit. Computers happen to operate using the base-2 number system, also known as the binary number system (just like the base-10 number system is known as the decimal number system). The reason computers use the base-2 system is because it makes it a lot easier to implement them with current electronic technology. Just like your light bulb, the circuits in a computer have two states: on and off (Actually, in terms of how the computer operates, there is either low voltage or high voltage running through the "light switch", but we will cover that later).

Assume you wish to send a message using a light switch. A light switch can be either off or on.

  ← Off     OR  On →

Any binary condition can be represented with a single light switch:

  ← False          True →

  ← Bad           Good →

  ← Male      Female →

  ← Dead          Alive →

A bit which is OFF is also considered to be FALSE or NOT SET; a bit which is ON is also considered to be TRUE or SET.

Typically, We use the Binary Numbering System (which consists ONLY of the digits 0 and 1) to represent binary conditions:

And so forth ...

Some good references include:

1.   How Bits and Bytes Work
2.   Data Structures And Number Systems
3.   Bits and Bytes : An Explanation

At this point in time, you should be able to Answer the following questions:

1.  Which of the following is a binary condition?

a.  Gender
b.  Nationality
c.  Intelligence
d.  Age
e.  Education

(answer: a)

2.  Which of the following is NOT a binary condition?

a.  Gender
b.  Nationality
c.  Being Alive
d.  Owning a House
e.  Having a job

(answer: b)

3.  Describe three binary conditions which people experience on a daily basis.

(Answer: Note that there are many correct answers:

On/Off,  Male/Female, AM/PM, Married/Unmarried, Dead/Alive, Happy/Not Happy, etc.)

4.  A binary condition is one that has two states. A ternary condition is one that has three states.
     What are some examples of ternary states?

(Answer: Note that there are many correct answers:

High/Medium/Low,  Masculine/Feminine/Neuter,  Happy/So-S0/Sad, etc.)

Aside:  Why would I grade this as an 'A' Tutorial??

This page was last updated on 05/24/05