Question

Why do we use binary encodings to represent information in the computer? What would be the pros and cons of using base-10 instead of base-2?

Think about examples of abstractions we use with the computer on a regular basis. What are some metaphors provided by applications or your operating system?

Compare RAM with nonvolatile memory like the computer’s hard drive. List the features of each, and compare them with each other? Where they differ in design, why would the designers have made the choices they made?

Answer 1

We use binary encodings to represent information in the computers because when the softwares are to be actually implemented, that is to happen by the use of available hardware which runs on electricity and hardware only knows electricity.It can either understand ON or OFF which are the binary bits 0 and 1.

So voltage is classified into signals.An output voltage 0.8 volts or less is considered to be logic “0”,a logic “1” represents a higher voltage, such as 5 volts. so had we used the voltage system we would have to classify so many voltages which is not possible or would require extreme hardware to just implement all the numbers as signals.

PRO's of base 10:

we wouldn't have to use the binary arithmetic and normal arithmetic would apply.

CONS of base 10:

Computers use voltages and since voltages changes often, no specific voltage is set for each number in the decimal system.More than a hundred rules would have been wired into the computer if we’d used the decimal number system for computers.

Full Form	RAM stands for Random Access Memory.	HDD stands for Hard Disk Drive.
Also known as	RAM is also known as primary memory.	HDD is also known as secondary memory.
Components	RAM does not contains, mechanical parts, only electronical parts like transistors.	HDD contains moving mechanical parts, like the arm.
R/W Time	RAM has shorter R/W time.	HDD has longer R/W time.
Memory Access	In RAM each and every element takes same time to be accessed.	In HDD different elements take different time to be accessed.
Size	In a system the RAM is smaller than the HDD.	In a system the HDD is smaller than the RAM.
Cost	RAM is costlier per unit storage.	HDD is cheaper per unit storage.
Duration of Data	Data stored in RAM is temporary. It remembers as long as it has electricity, i.e. the power is on.	Data stored in HDD is permanent, i.e. it retains data even after shutdown.
Speed of Computer	Speed of computer depends on RAM	HDD does not affect the speed of the computer.

If the designers used one single memory like the hard disk for all purposes , it would make the system highly slow and unstable as the application that are to be run and the data will be in the same memory making the read write process a more tedious and hardware dependent task.