What is binary?

Binary is a base-2 number system used by computers that consists solely of two digits: 0 and 1. This system underlies all modern computing, as it directly corresponds to the electrical states in computer hardware (off and on). Each digit in binary is referred to as a bit, and combinations of bits can represent more complex data such as numbers, characters, and instructions. Unlike the decimal system, which is base-10 and utilizes ten digits (0-9), binary's simplicity makes it well-suited for digital systems.

Understanding binary is essential for grasping how information is processed, stored, and transmitted in computers, making it a foundational concept in computer science. Other options present concepts that do not accurately describe binary; for example, the decimal system and coding systems are different in structure and purpose from binary. Similarly, encryption methods use binary but are distinct from the base-2 numeral system itself.