revised: 01/18/99; 01/16/00

CHAPTER 2 --- Analog and Binary Signals

Everyone knows that computers are "digital" and that they use "binary" numbers. You probably have some idea of what these terms mean. But we need to be clear about their precise meaning and to be clear about why computers are digital. This chapter will discuss this and other topics.

Chapter Topics:

  • Binary signals.
  • Analog signals.
  • Advantages of Binary.
  • Bits.
  • Noisy signals.
Careful study of these topics is necessary if you want to know what is really going on with your programs.

QUESTION 1:

Why is a digital wristwatch called "digital?"

Click Here after you have answered the question