- #1
Raghav Gupta
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We use decimal base system in almost all our calculations.
Computer understands only binary of base 2. Then why octal, hexadecimal etc?
Computer understands only binary of base 2. Then why octal, hexadecimal etc?
Raghav Gupta said:We use decimal base system in almost all our calculations.
Computer understands only binary of base 2. Then why octal, hexadecimal etc?
Binary, octal, and hex are all different forms of the same number.phinds said:First, they are NOT really different number systems at all, they are just shorthand for binary.
Second, as Hornbein pointed out, remembering, or even reading, long strings of 1's and 0's is just silly and HIGHLY error prone.
Early computers used octal as a shorthand for binary, later ones used hexidecimal as a shorthand for binary.
Humans have developed several number systems throughout history to represent and manipulate numbers in different ways. These systems have been influenced by cultural, practical, and mathematical considerations.
The most commonly used number systems are the decimal system (base 10), which is used in everyday life and mathematics, and the binary system (base 2), which is used in computer science and technology.
Cultures have developed different number systems based on their needs and traditions. For example, the Mayan civilization used a base 20 system because they counted using their fingers and toes.
Having multiple number systems allows us to solve different types of problems and perform different calculations more efficiently. For example, binary is used in computing because it is easier for machines to process and manipulate.
Having multiple number systems can lead to confusion and mistakes if used interchangeably. It can also make communication and collaboration difficult if individuals are using different systems. However, these issues can be mitigated through education and standardization.