A bit is a binary digit with one of two values, 0 or 1. It behaves like a toggle: computation changes its value, and reading returns the final value. Repeating the same classical computation produces the same result. section 1.4.1
Bits provide the basic representation beneath higher-level classical software:
- Group bits into registers to represent variables such as integers, characters, item selections, weights, and values. section 1.4 section 2.2.1
- Read binary strings as sequences of 0s and 1s, with each position contributing to a binary representation. section 2.2.1
- Use successive division by 2 to recover binary digits from a decimal integer. section 7.4.1
Encoding 13
Repeatedly divide 13 by 2 and record the remainders: 1, 0, 1, 1 from right to left. Reversing them gives the binary representation 1101. section 7.4.1
Figure 1.5 A classical bit works like a toggle or switch between 0 and 1.
Visualize a bit as a switch that toggles between 0 and 1. section 1.4.1
