The bit syntax in Erlang is for deconstruction and assignment (pattern matching), not just assembling. The entire language is built around pattern matching to

The bit syntax in Erlang is for deconstruction and assignment (pattern matching), not just assembling. The entire language is built around pattern matching to the point where it simply wouldn't exist otherwise, and I assume binary protocol handling was a core requirement when the language was designed since it was created for telecom switches.