notebook/notes/binary/index.md

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title TARGET DECK FILE TAGS tags
Binary Obsidian::STEM binary
binary

Overview

A binary digit or bit is a 0 or 1 character. A bit string is then a contiguous sequence of bits. It's weight is a reference to the number of 1s in the bit string. Compare the below operation to the method for converting from one numerical base to another (e.g. radices#Hexadecimal).

unsigned int bit_weight(int64_t n) {
  unsigned int count = 0;
  while (n) {
    count += (n % 2 == 0) ? 0 : 1;
    n /= 2;
  }
  return count;
}

%%ANKI Basic Why is a "bit" named the way it is? Back: It is short for binary digit. Reference: Oscar Levin, Discrete Mathematics: An Open Introduction, 3rd ed., n.d., https://discrete.openmathbooks.org/pdfs/dmoi3-tablet.pdf.

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%%ANKI Basic What does the weight of a bit string refer to? Back: The number of 1s in the string. Reference: Oscar Levin, Discrete Mathematics: An Open Introduction, 3rd ed., n.d., https://discrete.openmathbooks.org/pdfs/dmoi3-tablet.pdf.

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%%ANKI Basic How might you use C to find the weight of a bit string? Back: Repeatedly divide by 2, counting all remainders of 1. Reference: Oscar Levin, Discrete Mathematics: An Open Introduction, 3rd ed., n.d., https://discrete.openmathbooks.org/pdfs/dmoi3-tablet.pdf. Tags: c17

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%%ANKI Cloze A byte consists of {8} bits. Reference: Bryant, Randal E., and David O'Hallaron. Computer Systems: A Programmer's Perspective. Third edition, Global edition. Always Learning. Pearson, 2016.

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%%ANKI Cloze A byte consists of {2} nibbles. Reference: Bryant, Randal E., and David O'Hallaron. Computer Systems: A Programmer's Perspective. Third edition, Global edition. Always Learning. Pearson, 2016.

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%%ANKI Cloze A nibble consists of {4} bits. Reference: Bryant, Randal E., and David O'Hallaron. Computer Systems: A Programmer's Perspective. Third edition, Global edition. Always Learning. Pearson, 2016.

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%%ANKI Basic What process is used to convert from e.g. decimal to another base? Back: Divide repeatedly by the base. Maintain remainders right to left. Reference: Bryant, Randal E., and David O'Hallaron. Computer Systems: A Programmer's Perspective. Third edition, Global edition. Always Learning. Pearson, 2016.

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%%ANKI Basic Why does converting from e.g. decimal to another base involve repeated division? Back: The position of a digit corresponds to the base raised to that position. Reference: Bryant, Randal E., and David O'Hallaron. Computer Systems: A Programmer's Perspective. Third edition, Global edition. Always Learning. Pearson, 2016.

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