Appendix: Binary and Boolean Logic

This appendix’s learning objectives are

  • To understand the binary numbering system
  • To be able to convert numbers between binary and decimal
  • To understand the difference between binary, decimal, octal, and hexadecimal
  • To understand storage capacities
  • To be able to apply Boolean operators and the netmask

A.1 Binary Numbering System

Our computers process and store information by means of electrical current flowing through digital circuits. Although this detail is not something a typical Linux user needs to know, it does influence a number of aspects of our computer usage. Most significantly, current is in one of two states, high current or low (no) current. Our circuits store and process information that must ...

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