Understanding Hexadecimal and Binary Numbers
When it comes to understanding computer coding and programming, it is important to have a general understanding of the different numbering systems used in computing. Two of the most commonly used numbering systems are the hexadecimal and binary system. Hexadecimal (or ‘base-16’) and binary (or ‘base-2’) are two of the most important numbering systems as they provide the basis for all types of computer coding. In this article, we will discuss the basics of these two systems and how to convert them.
Hexadecimal is a base-16 numbering system, which means there are 16 symbols used to represent numbers instead of the usual 10 symbols used for decimal numbers. The symbols used in hexadecimal are 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, A, B, C, D, E, and F. In hexadecimal, each of these symbols is assigned a value, with the value increasing as each of the symbols is used. For instance, the symbol 0 stands for 0, the symbol 1 stands for 1, and the symbol A stands for 10.
Binary, on the other hand, is a base-2 numbering system, which means only two symbols are used to represent numbers. The two symbols used in binary are 0 and 1. In binary, each of these symbols is assigned a value, with 0 meaning 0 and 1 meaning 1.
To convert a hexadecimal number to binary, all you need to do is replace each hexadecimal symbol with its corresponding binary value. For instance, the hexadecimal number ABC would have a corresponding binary value of 101010111100. In this example, A stands for 10, B stands for 11, and C stands for 12. Therefore, A would be replaced with 1010, B would be replaced with 1011, and C would be replaced with 1100.
Fortunately, there are now online tools available that can help with this conversion. For instance, one of the most popular online tools is the Hex to Binary converter provided by Expertonlinetools.com. This tool enables users to enter a hexadecimal number and quickly get the corresponding binary number.
In conclusion, understanding the basics of hexadecimal and binary is essential for anyone who is learning computer coding and programming. By understanding the difference between the two systems and how to convert a hexadecimal number to binary, it is easier to understand the fundamentals of computer coding and programming. Finally, with the help of online tools such as the Hex to Binary converter, it is even easier to understand and use these two numbering systems in coding and programming.