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# Binary
The word binary in general refers to having two choices; in [computer science](compsci.md) binary refers to the base 2 numeral system, i.e. a system of writing numbers with only two symbols, usually [1](one.md)s and [0](zero.md)s. We can write any number in binary just as we can with our everyday [decimal](decimal.md) system, but binary is more convenient for computers because this system is easy to implement in [electronics](electronics.md) (a switch can be on or off, i.e. 1 or 0; systems with more digits were tried but unsuccessful, they failed miserably in reliability). The word *binary* is also by extension used for non-textual computer [files](file.md) such as native [executable](executable.md) programs or asset files for games.
The word binary in general refers to having [two](two.md) choices; in [computer science](compsci.md) binary refers to the base 2 numeral system, i.e. a system of writing numbers with only two symbols, usually [1](one.md)s and [0](zero.md)s. We can write any number in binary just as we can with our everyday [decimal](decimal.md) system, but binary is more convenient for computers because this system is easy to implement in [electronics](electronics.md) (a switch can be on or off, i.e. 1 or 0; systems with more digits were tried but unsuccessful, they failed miserably in reliability -- see e.g. [ternary](ternary.md) computers). The word *binary* is also by extension used for non-textual computer [files](file.md) such as native [executable](executable.md) programs or asset files for games.
One binary digit can be used to store exactly 1 [bit](bit.md) of [information](information.md). So the number of places we have for writing a binary number (e.g. in computer memory) is called a number of bits or bit **width**. A bit width *N* allows for storing 2^N values (e.g. with 2 bits we can store 4 values: 0, 1, 2 and 3, in binary 00, 01, 10 and 11).
One binary digit can be used to store exactly 1 [bit](bit.md) of [information](information.md). So the number of places we have for writing a binary number (e.g. in computer memory) is called a number of bits or bit width. A bit width *N* allows for storing 2^N values (e.g. with 2 bits we can store 4 values: 0, 1, 2 and 3, in binary 00, 01, 10 and 11).
At the basic level binary works just like the [decimal](decimal.md) (base 10) system we're used to. While the decimal system uses powers of 10, binary uses powers of 2. Here is a table showing a few numbers in decimal and binary: