Binary Files
Binary files are computer files that store data in a binary format, consisting of sequences of bytes (0s and 1s) that are not intended to be human-readable as plain text. They are used to store complex data structures, executable programs, images, audio, video, and other non-textual information. Unlike text files, binary files require specific software or applications to interpret and process their content correctly.
Developers should learn about binary files when working with low-level programming, file I/O operations, data serialization, or handling multimedia formats, as they are essential for performance-critical applications and system-level tasks. Understanding binary files is crucial for tasks like reading/writing custom data formats, optimizing storage, and ensuring data integrity in applications such as game development, embedded systems, and network protocols.