Digital

:For other uses, see Digital (disambiguation)

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A digital system is one that uses binary numbers (a system of numeric 0s and 1s) for input, processing, transmission, storage, or display, rather than a continuous spectrum of values (an analog system) or non-numeric symbols such as letters or icons. In such a system data-carrying signals are restricted to one of the two electronic or optical pulses, either logic 1 (where the pulse is present) or 0 (where the pulse is absent).

Related Topics:
System - Binary number - Continuous - Analog - Symbol - Letter - Icon

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The distinction of 'digital' versus 'analog' or 'symbolic' can refer to method of input, data storage and transfer, the internal working of an instrument, and the kind of display. The word comes from the same source as the word digit: the Latin word for finger (counting on the fingers) as these are used for discrete counting.

Related Topics:
Digit - Latin - Finger

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The word 'digital' is commonly used in computing, especially where real-world information is converted to numeric form as in digital audio and digital photography. The term is often meant by the prefix 'e-', as in e-mail and ebook, even though not all electronics systems are digital.

Related Topics:
Computing - Digital audio - Digital photography - E-mail - Ebook - Electronics

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