revised: 01/18/99, 01/16/00, 09/01/01, 01/08/06

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.

Chapter Topics:

Study these topics carefully if you want to know what is really going on with computers.


QUESTION 1:

Why is a digital wristwatch called "digital"?