4 ms·
>"Computers measure storage in base 2" What do you mean? 'Computers' don't measure storage, they execute programs. Humans (often programmers) are the ones who
by nickff 4y ago
>"Computers measure storage in base 2"
What do you mean? 'Computers' don't measure storage, they execute programs. Humans (often programmers) are the ones who want to know about storage.
- rzz3 4y agoThose executed programs measure storage.
- nickff 4y ago'Measuring' is a human paradigm.
- wronglyprepaid 4y agoSo is everything else related to computers. Humans made computers. Computers are a human paradigm.
- nickff 4y agoNo, many things related to 'computers' are determined by physics and chemistry. In any case, 'computer' is being used loosely (and poorly) here, which is why I have been putting it in single quotes. 'Computer' can mean many things.
- dingleberry420 4y agohttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Processor_register#Size https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Processor_register#Size
- nickff 4y agoIf you look at register size, you'll believe that different processors use different 'bases', depending on whether they're 8-bit, 16-bit, 32-bit, or 64-bit...
- dingleberry420 4y agoAnd it just happens to be a coincidence those are all powers of 2?
- nickff 4y agoI understand why we use binary, and the implications on processors, but I still think it is wrong to say: "Computers measure storage in base 2"
- trashtester 4y agoAlmost all numbers inside computers are base 2 (for floats, the exponent and fraction are one such number each). Base 10 is something that is primarily used for presentation to humans. We all know this, this is HN....
- dehugger 4y agoFine, the humans that use computers measure storage in base 2. What a pedantic hill to die on.
- taffer 4y agoThere were also 12, 24, 36 and 48 bit computers. 32 Bit just won because of System/360.