Binary Data Representation

"Binary Data Representation"

• A binary number may also have a binary point, in addition to the sign. 
• The binary point is used for representing fractions, integers and integer-fraction numbers. 
• Registers are high-speed storage areas within the Central Processing Unit (CPU) of the computer. 
• All data are brought into a register before it can be processed. For example, if two numbers are to be added, both the numbers are brought in registers, added, and the result is also placed in a register.

Two ways of representing the position of the binary point in the register:

•  There are two ways of representing the position of the binary point in the register:

1. fixed point number representation and 
2. floating point number representation.

• The fixed point number representation assumes that the binary point is fixed at one position either at the extreme left to make the number a fraction, or at the extreme right to make the number an integer. In both cases, the binary point is not stored in the register, but the number is treated as a fraction or integer.
• For example, if the binary point is assumed to be at extreme left, the number 1100 is actually treated as 0.1100.