Bytes, words, etc. can also be stored and manipulated in the CPU, in which case 2-complement, rotates, shifts, etc. do have a directionality about them. Certai

Bytes, words, etc. can also be stored and manipulated in the CPU, in which case 2-complement, rotates, shifts, etc. do have a directionality about them. Certain bit-sliced microcode architectures can also impose a certain directionality for the bits. Finally, serial communications and storage impose directionality upon the bit stream. (Anyone remember writing to magnetic tape?)