Why must analogue inputs be converted into digital?

Analogue inputs must be converted into digital form because computers cannot process continuous values. Computers operate using binary code, which consists of discrete values (0s and 1s). This means they require input data to be in a format that is quantifiable and discrete rather than continuous.

Analogue signals, which can take on an infinite number of values within a range, need to be sampled at specific intervals and quantized into discrete values to be stored, processed, and manipulated by a digital system. This process, known as analogue-to-digital conversion (ADC), allows the computer to interpret and perform calculations on data that originally has a continuous nature, such as sound waves or temperature readings.

This conversion is crucial because without it, the rich and varied information carried by analogue signals would be lost to a system that cannot understand or utilize it effectively.