binary file

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Explanation of "Binary File"

Definition: A binary file is a type of computer file that contains information in a format that is not easily readable by humans. It is designed to be read by a computer program. This file uses all 8 bits of each byte, which means it can store a variety of data types, like images, audio, and executable programs.

Usage Instructions

• You cannot open a binary file in a text editor (like Notepad) and expect to understand it, because it includes data that appears as gibberish.
• To work with a binary file, you need specific software or applications that can interpret the data correctly.

Example

• Image File: A JPEG image is a binary file. You need an image viewer like Photoshop or Windows Photo Viewer to open and see the picture.
• Executable File: A program you run on your computer, like a video game or an application, is typically a binary file. You would double-click it to start the program.

Advanced Usage

• Binary files can be contrasted with text files. Text files contain human-readable characters and can be opened with simple text editors. Examples of text files include .txt, .csv, and .html files.
• In programming, you might handle binary files by using functions that read or write the data in binary mode. For example, in Python, you would use (read binary) or (write binary) when opening a file.

Word Variants

• Binary Data: This refers to the actual content stored within a binary file.
• Binary Code: This refers to the representation of data in a binary format, typically used in programming and computer science.

Different Meanings

• In a general sense, "binary" can refer to anything that has two parts or options. For example, in mathematics, binary means a number system that uses only two digits: 0 and 1.

Synonyms

• There aren't many direct synonyms for "binary file," but you might hear similar terms like:
  • Executable file
  • Data file

Idioms and Phrasal Verbs

• While there are not specific idioms or phrasal verbs directly related to "binary file," you might encounter terms in computing like:
  • Boot up: This means to start a computer, which often involves reading binary files to load the operating system.
  • Load a file: This refers to the process of opening a file in a program, which could be a binary file.

Summary

A binary file is a computer file that stores data in a format that is not meant to be read by humans directly. Specialized software is necessary to access the content of these files, and they are used for various purposes, including images, audio, and executable applications.

Academic

Noun

1. (computer science) a computer file containing machine-readable information that must be read by an application; characters use all 8 bits of each byte