Binary
Binary is a base-2 numeral system that uses only two symbols, typically 0 and 1, to represent all numbers and data in computing. It is the fundamental language of digital computers, where each binary digit (bit) corresponds to an electrical state (e.g., off/on, low/high voltage). This system underpins everything from arithmetic operations and data storage to machine code and digital communication.
Developers should learn binary to understand how computers process data at the lowest level, which is essential for low-level programming, debugging hardware issues, and optimizing performance in fields like embedded systems, cryptography, and computer architecture. It is particularly useful when working with bitwise operations, memory management, or network protocols where data is manipulated in binary form.