Data Representation

Arts 1–4

Foreign Languages 1–4

Binary, hexadecimal, ASCII, Unicode, and how different types of data are stored and manipulated.

📘 Topic Summary

Data representation is the process of converting data into a format that can be understood by computers. This topic covers various types of data representations, including binary, hexadecimal, ASCII, and Unicode, as well as how they are stored and manipulated.

📖 Glossary

Binary: A number system using only two digits: 0 and 1.
Hexadecimal: A base-16 number system using letters A-F to represent numbers.
ASCII: A character encoding standard that represents text as a series of binary values.
Unicode: A character encoding standard that represents text in a more comprehensive and accurate way than ASCII.

⭐ Key Points

Binary is the most fundamental form of data representation.
Hexadecimal is often used to represent binary data in a more human-readable format.
ASCII is limited to representing only 128 unique characters, whereas Unicode can represent thousands of languages and characters.
Data compression algorithms use various techniques to reduce the size of digital data.
Encryption algorithms scramble data to protect it from unauthorized access.
Hash functions create a fixed-size digital fingerprint from variable-sized input data.

🔍 Subtopics

Introduction to Data Representation

Data representation is the process of converting data into a format that can be understood by computers. This involves using various systems and codes to store and manipulate different types of data. Understanding data representation is crucial for computer programming, as it allows developers to efficiently store and retrieve information.

Binary Number System

The binary number system uses only two digits: 0 and 1. This is because computers use electronic switches that can be either on (1) or off (0). Binary numbers are used to represent all data in a computer, including text, images, and audio. The binary system is the foundation of all digital computing.

Hexadecimal and ASCII

Hexadecimal is a base-16 number system that uses letters A-F to represent numbers 10-15. This makes it easier for humans to read and write binary code. ASCII (American Standard Code for Information Interchange) is a character encoding standard that assigns unique binary codes to characters, such as letters and symbols. Hexadecimal and ASCII are used together to represent text data in computers.

Unicode and Character Encoding

Unicode is a character encoding standard that assigns unique binary codes to characters from all languages. This allows for the representation of non-English characters, such as accents and symbols. Unicode uses a combination of hexadecimal and ASCII codes to represent characters. Unicode has become the standard for character encoding in modern computing.

Data Compression and Encryption

Data compression reduces the size of data by eliminating redundant information. This makes it faster to store and transmit data. Data encryption scrambles data to protect it from unauthorized access. Both compression and encryption are essential for secure online transactions, such as online banking and shopping.

Hash Functions and Digital Signatures

Hash functions take input data and generate a fixed-length string of characters, known as a hash value. This is used to verify the integrity of data. Digital signatures use public-key cryptography to authenticate the sender of a message. Hash functions and digital signatures are used in secure online transactions, such as electronic signatures and password storage.

Real-World Applications of Data Representation

Data representation is used in many real-world applications, including databases, web browsers, and mobile devices. It enables efficient data storage and retrieval, allowing for fast access to information. Data representation also plays a critical role in secure online transactions, such as online banking and shopping.

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