Binary definition

Binary, or base-2, is the numeral system commonly used by computers. It is the basic units of digital data, with each binary digit called a "bit" which can represent two states; a logical "1" or "0" or a similar system. It is implemented in digital electronic circuits easily with logic gates, making it a popular choice than any other number system. Digital circuits are used because of their relative simplicity and their predictability.

Although binary can handle integers most effectively, sufficient digits as well as circuitry and program logic allows binary data to represent a large range of more complex information, such as text, imagery and floating-point numbers. Binary is most efficient when storing simple data in between two states however, but the scalability of Boolean logic circuits means it's easy enough to be used more flexibly too.