How Do Zeros and Ones Turn into the Internet? The Magic of Binary Code

Mubashir Ali
3 min readAug 31, 2024

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At its core, the internet is built on the foundation of binary code — those humble zeros and ones you’ve heard about. Binary code is the language of computers, and it’s through this language that the entire digital world comes to life. But how exactly do these zeros and ones transform into the internet we know today? Let’s break it down.

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1.Understanding Binary Code: The Basics

Binary code operates on a simple principle: every piece of data in a computer can be represented using just two digits, 0 and 1. This system is known as the binary system. Each 0 or 1 is called a “bit,” and these bits are the smallest units of data in a computer.

- 0 represents the “off” state.
- 1 represents the “on” state.

By combining these bits in various patterns, you can represent numbers, letters, colors, and even complex instructions.

2.Binary and Numbers

In binary, numbers are represented using combinations of zeros and ones. For example, the decimal number 5 is represented in binary as 101. Each position in a binary number represents a power of 2, so:

- The rightmost bit is \(2⁰\),
- The next is \(2¹\),
- And so on.

3.Binary and Text: ASCII Code

When it comes to text, binary code is used in conjunction with encoding systems like ASCII (American Standard Code for Information Interchange). Each character — whether it’s a letter, number, or symbol — has a corresponding binary code. For example:

- The letter “A” is represented by 01000001 in binary.
- The letter “B” is represented by 01000010 in binary.

4. Binary and Images: Color Codes

Images on your screen are made up of tiny dots called pixels, each with its own color. These colors are typically represented using a combination of three primary colors: red, green, and blue (RGB). Each of these colors can have different intensity levels, which are represented by binary numbers.

For instance, a pure red color might be represented as 11111111 00000000 00000000 in binary.

5. Binary and Videos

Videos are essentially sequences of images shown rapidly to create the illusion of motion. Each image, or frame, is made up of thousands of pixels, and each pixel’s color is determined by binary code. By storing and transmitting these binary-encoded frames quickly, computers can create and display videos.

6. Binary and Data Transmission: The Internet

When you send an email, stream a video, or browse the web, all of the information is broken down into tiny packets of data, which are then converted into binary code. These packets travel across the internet’s vast network of servers, routers, and cables, ultimately reaching their destination, where they’re reassembled and interpreted by the receiving computer.

In short, binary code is the universal language that allows all of this to happen. It’s how your computer knows what to display on your screen, how to connect to a website, or how to stream that cat video you love. The internet is, in essence, a giant conversation in binary code, with zeros and ones doing all the talking.

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Mubashir Ali

Passionate AI, tech, and programming writer, eager to share my knowledge with others. Open-minded and always learning.