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WHY WE USE BINARY DIGITS AS 0 AND 1?
    The heart of the computer is the microprocessor, which is also referred to as the processor. The microprocessor is the main part of the computer’s CPU (central processing unit). A processor consists of millions of electronic switches; a switch can be either in ON or OFF state. Thus there are only two distinct states possible in these devices. In our real-world calculations we make use of the decimal system (which has 10 distinct states/numbers: 0 to 9). Counting up to ten is easy for humans but would be quite difficult for computers. It is easier to create a device capable of sensing 2 states than one capable of sensing 10 states (this also helps reduce on errors). Computers make use of the binary system (i.e. they store data in binary format and also perform calculations in binary format). The binary system (binary meaning two) has just two numbers: 1 and 0 (which correspond to the ON and OFF state respectively – this is analogous to a switch which can either be in ON state or in OFF state).

A binary digit is called a bit.


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