posted on December 12, 2000 09:04:20 PM new
I have been looking everywhere for a book about binary code and/or HEX programming for my 11-year old who is learning binary code.
Clerks at bookstores don't have a clue and I can't find anything on any online shops.
Does anyone know the name of a book that would touch these subjects?
posted on December 12, 2000 09:14:35 PM new
way back when, i had to learn the binary system for my job, and i might be able to help him get started. you can email me at the e-addy in my profile.
i suggest a library or contact a software company. programmers need to know all kinds of crazy things.
posted on December 12, 2000 10:18:51 PM new
Hello,
Going Way Back And Some More! Just a bunch of 1010101001101011 No big deal! Just kidding! The most expeditious manner in which to communicate with CPU. Any older beginners programming book should
cover this in some degree! I wouldn't worry about it to much unless you plan to build rocket guidance systems for the government. As far as the Hex, invest some chump change for a calculator that performs binary to hex conversion. When looking at countless lines of 1000111110101011 it becomes evident that the HEX conversion makes the process of debugging simple! GOOD LUCK!!!!!
posted on December 12, 2000 11:26:30 PM new
Hi,
I used to teach all the math variations for entry level military ruggedized computers. Try these sites. This first one has a nice chart that shows decimal, binary and hex all together. Binary is nothing more than base 2 counting. Hex is base 15, but throws in letters, which can be a little hard to get the hang of at first.
One you learn binary, all the others are pretty easy. The second site has a pretty good chart too.
http://sandbrooksoftware.com/DPSC/Articles/BinDec.shtml
posted on December 13, 2000 04:12:12 AM new
Binary and HEX are usually included in the introductory chapters of a "digital logic" book, but I've never seen an entire book about just them. (shudder at the thought)
Since compilers were invented, few people have any reason to program in machine language any more. Look for OLD programming books and Digital Logic books in used book stores. Check the TOC and the index to see what they have.
posted on December 13, 2000 06:33:39 AM new
If you happen to be running just about any version of Windows, click on Start, then Run, then type 'calc' and click OK. When the calculator comes up, change the View to Scientific. Now you can convert between binary, hex, etc. Very handy for practicing.
posted on December 13, 2000 07:55:03 AM new
There is no such thing as HEX programming and binary code is not a programming language.
Binary is a numeric system where you use only 2 digits - 0's and 1's. Hexadecimal is a numeric system where you use 16 digits - 0,1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,A,B,C,D,E, and F. We use a decimal system with 10 digits - 0,1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9.
Computers work in binary because that can easily be stated with mechanics 0 = switch is off - 1 = switch is on.
0 = 0000
1 = 0001
2 = 0010
3 = 0011
etc.
Hexadecimal numbering is used by computer systems because it works well to display binary numbers in a more condensed way. It is only used to show what is really stored in binary numbers in the computer.
F (hex) = 1111 (binary)
As other people have said - most beginning programming books describe these concepts and why and how they are used. It helps to understand this to learn programming but they are not programming languages.
[ edited by kateartist on Dec 13, 2000 08:01 AM ]
posted on December 13, 2000 11:45:29 AM new
As stated, binary isn't a language per se! However, it should be understood that it is the lowest common denominator of any language. Simple stated, binary shares a relationship with any programming language!
Similar to the relationship that a letter in the alphabet shares with a word. The letter "R" in its self has limited meaning! However, when coupled in strings and series of other letters of the alphabet, it then becomes language!
posted on December 13, 2000 05:52:54 PM newkateartist said: "There is no such thing as HEX programming and binary code is not a programming language."
This is untrue.
I first started programming millitary computers back in 1977. Back then, you acutally used keys that electrically created the 1 or the 0. We programmed in both Binary and in Octal, which was base-8 math. Back then, you directly accessed the various circuits; i.e. flipflops, and. nor, xor, etc. types. There was no "software interface" between us and the electrical gear.
Today, Binary is still a computer language as is Hexidecimal. it all depends upon what you are doing with it as to whether it is a real programming language or not. I have a degree in electronics and from that viewpoint, 1's and 0's using Binary is a very real format to get computers to do the work that you want. As a DOS-era programmer, Hexidecimal codes told MS-DOS what to do. Sure, the Hex was convereted into 4 groups of 4 bit places to create the Hex code (machine language), but it worked just fine.
cassiecloset: anyone really learning about computers ought to understand basic computer circuit technology and how the 1's and 0's get pushed around and how the circuits electrically respond to them to make calculations in order to throughly learn all about their course of study.
edited for sin-tax
[ edited by Borillar on Dec 13, 2000 05:53 PM ]
posted on December 13, 2000 07:32:33 PM new"it becomes evident that the HEX conversion makes the process of debugging simple"
I work with hex code quite a bit. I'll grant you that it's simpler than binary code but it's by no means *simple*.
By the way, *every* computer works in binary. Every language - java, cobol, C++, assember - is converted (compiled) to binary and that's actually what the computer works in.
posted on December 13, 2000 08:46:26 PM new
My son actually converts programming languages into binary code. Most of the programming books at the local bookstore are too easy for him.
I think he needs to attend a technical level class at the college or something like that.
Why can't he be happy just riding his bike around the neighborhood like I did when I was 11?
He certainly didn't inherit his mathematical and technical aptitude from me.
posted on December 13, 2000 08:47:47 PM new
When you communicate with a computer in binary it is called machine language. All communication with early computers was in machine language and input with punched cards. With the advent of the IBM 1401, code could be input on a keyboard. Believe me Windows/ Lotus macros are better!
posted on December 14, 2000 02:45:54 AM new
UGH! Punchcards!
I remember having spent many a day at the key-punch machine, creating a program and carrying around boxes of carefully sorted and rubberband wrapped punchcard stacks.
All that just to have have the hopper eat a card and make you start over!
The hurdles we had to go through just to see if the program was even going to run!
I think it's great that your son is showing an interest and aptitude for it and that you are supporting him on it.
Who knows, you may have the next 'Bill Gates' on your hand (but one not so obnoxious).
Good luck!
posted on December 14, 2000 03:14:29 AM new
Kateartist - "There is no such thing as HEX programming and binary code is not a programming language. "
Ever write in "machine language"? When you do that, you are writing commands in binary or inputting their hex or octal equivalents which are easier to remember, directly to the CPU. It's a witch to do, but necessary for some kinds of computers, particularly industrial control systems. It's also used for time-critical chunks of code because (if the programmer is any good) it is almost always shorter code than that written by a compiler with commands that look like English.
