Numbers in Computers

Numbers are important in Computer Science for two reasons:

  1. Calculations - a significant fraction of computer work involves extensive calculations, including:
    - financial and business records
    - collection and analysis of scientific data
    - scientific and mathematical modeling and simulation

  2. Storage - internal data representation
    - virtually all data in computer systems is represented by numbers
    - various types of data are stored in various formats:
          numbers, text, images, sound, video
      In all cases, the data is stored as binary bit-patterns (e.g. numbers)

Reading & Lectures

Software

      Binary and Hex - Use the following software to inspect the numbers inside files:

      Programming - Use programming languages to write some small test programs for calculations:

Videos