Information Representation: Difference between revisions
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Inside a computer, everything is bits. The topic of '''information representation''' discusses how different information inside a computer program actually looks like in the background. | Inside a computer, everything is bits. The topic of '''information representation''' discusses how different information inside a computer program actually looks like in the background. | ||
'''2's complement''' is a method of representing integers in computer science. | |||
To calculate the value of a number represented by 2's complement, just think of the first bit in the bit pattern as negative. For example, 101 would be 4 + 1 = 5 as an unsigned number, but -4 + 1 = -3 as a signed number represented by 2's complement. | |||
The advantage of using 2's complement over signed magnitude is twofold: | |||
* Easier arithmetic operations | |||
* Greater range of values (since there is no -0) | |||
* To '''negate''' signed numbers, flip all bits and add 1. This comes from math: <math>-2 = -4 + ((4 - 1) - 2) + 1</math> | |||
[[Category:Computer Architecture]] | [[Category:Computer Architecture]] | ||
Revision as of 20:23, 2 April 2024
Inside a computer, everything is bits. The topic of information representation discusses how different information inside a computer program actually looks like in the background.
2's complement is a method of representing integers in computer science.
To calculate the value of a number represented by 2's complement, just think of the first bit in the bit pattern as negative. For example, 101 would be 4 + 1 = 5 as an unsigned number, but -4 + 1 = -3 as a signed number represented by 2's complement.
The advantage of using 2's complement over signed magnitude is twofold:
- Easier arithmetic operations
- Greater range of values (since there is no -0)
- To negate signed numbers, flip all bits and add 1. This comes from math:
