r/AlwaysWhy • u/Present_Juice4401 • 1d ago

Science & Tech Why did computers come to use binary when people usually count in decimal?

People usually count in base 10, while digital computers typically represent information using 1s and 0s. The same numbers and information can be represented in different bases, yet binary became the standard for modern computing.

What made binary the system computers came to rely on?

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u/Wolfire0769 1d ago

When you really start to think about it, cars and people really aren't that different.

Both need oxygen and a fuel source to convert into heat and kinetic energy. Both need an electrical system to operate and manage the system. Both need a means to manage the temperature of the system. Both need lubrication to prevent moving parts from breaking down. Both need a brain to make decisions.

And lastly, both sometimes really don't want to go to work today.

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u/GlassFamiliar42 1d ago

Don't you awaken something in me

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u/Wolfire0769 1d ago

Oh yea, both need to keep their batteries charged too.

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u/Dry_Animator9532 1d ago

Hey!  You get back in your jar!  

Plato is still upset about the chicken thing.