Data Representation

Overview 📘

🖥️ How Data is Represented by a Computer

Computers store and process all kinds of data using binary – a code made up of 1s and 0s. Each 1 or 0 is called a bit. Groups of bits represent different types of data:

• Text ➝ stored using character codes like ASCII.
  e.g. ‘A’ = 01000001
  📄 Typing a message sends each letter as binary.
  
  

• Images ➝ made of tiny dots called pixels, each with a binary colour code.
  🖼️ Taking a photo on your phone stores the image as pixel data.
  
  

• Sound ➝ recorded as digital samples of wave signals.
  🎵 Your music app stores each second of a song as binary samples.
  
  

• Numbers ➝ whole numbers use binary integers, and decimals use floating point.

🔢 A calculator stores and solves maths using binary.

Everything a computer does starts with 1s and 0s!