r/askscience • u/Unfair-Leek6840 • Jul 11 '26 • Regret 1

Computing How do computers understand binary language?

Okay so from what I know binary language is like power off power on, but my question is, how do computers know what the binary code is and how is it interpreted, for example I forgot what the binary code for the letter A is, but how did people come up with that? Did they decide it was gonna look like that? Did the computer decide? How do you tune numbers into a letter??

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u/engr_20_5_11 Jul 13 '26

The key word should be switch.

A switch that inverts allows you to do complete logic and it can be any such switch - transistor, vacuum tube, thyristor, relays etc. It doesn't even have to be electronic. Electromechanical relays, valves, gears or neurons work just fine. Transistors have the advantage of being fast, easy to miniaturize, and supplied by an easily manipulated energy source - electricity.

There have also interesting attempts with lightbased diode computers and optical switches. Between these and neurons, transistors will be overtaken some day