Binary may refer to:

Science and technology

Mathematics

Binary number A binary number is a number expressed in the base-2 numeral system or binary numeral system, a method of mathematical expression which uses only two symbols: typically "0" (zero) and "1" ( one). The base-2 numeral system is a positional notatio ...

, a representation of numbers using only two digits (0 and 1) * Binary function, a function that takes two arguments *

Binary operation In mathematics, a binary operation or dyadic operation is a rule for combining two elements (called operands) to produce another element. More formally, a binary operation is an operation of arity two. More specifically, an internal binary op ...

, a mathematical operation that takes two arguments * Binary relation, a relation involving two elements * Binary-coded decimal, a method for encoding for decimal digits in binary sequences *

Finger binary Finger binary is a system for counting and displaying binary numbers on the fingers of either or both hands. Each finger represents one binary digit or bit. This allows counting from zero to 31 using the fingers of one hand, or 1023 using both: ...

, a system for counting in binary numbers on the fingers of human hands

Computing

* Binary code, the digital representation of text and data *

Bit The bit is the most basic unit of information in computing and digital communications. The name is a portmanteau of binary digit. The bit represents a logical state with one of two possible values. These values are most commonly represente ...

, or binary digit, the basic unit of information in computers *

Binary file A binary file is a computer file that is not a text file. The term "binary file" is often used as a term meaning "non-text file". Many binary file formats contain parts that can be interpreted as text; for example, some computer document fil ...

, composed of something other than human-readable text ** Executable, a type of binary file that contains machine code for the computer to execute * Binary tree, a computer tree data structure in which each node has at most two children

Astronomy

* Binary star, a star system with two stars in it *

Binary planet In astronomy, a double planet (also binary planet) is a binary satellite system where both objects are planets, or planetary-mass objects, that share an orbital axis external to both planetary bodies. Although up to a third of the star syst ...

, two planetary bodies of comparable mass orbiting each other *

Binary asteroid A binary asteroid is a system of two asteroids orbiting their common barycenter. The binary nature of 243 Ida was discovered when the Galileo spacecraft flew by the asteroid in 1993. Since then numerous binary asteroids and several triple a ...

, two asteroids orbiting each other

Biology

Binary fission Binary may refer to: Science and technology Mathematics * Binary number, a representation of numbers using only two digits (0 and 1) * Binary function, a function that takes two arguments * Binary operation, a mathematical operation that ta ...

, the splitting of a single-celled organism into two daughter cells

Chemistry

Binary phase In materials chemistry, a binary phase or binary compound is a chemical compound containing two different elements. Some binary phase compounds are molecular, e.g. carbon tetrachloride (CCl4). More typically binary phase refers to extended sol ...

, a chemical compound containing two different chemical elements

Arts and entertainment

Binary (comics) Carol Susan Jane Danvers is a character appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. Created by writer Roy Thomas and artist Gene Colan, Danvers first appeared as an officer in the United States Air Force and a colleague of ...

, a superheroine in the Marvel Universe * ''Binary'' (Doctor Who audio)

Music

* Binary form, a way of structuring a piece of music * ''Binary'' (Ani DiFranco album), 2017 * ''Binary'' (Kay Tse album), 2008 * "Binary" (song), a 2007 single by Assemblage 23

Novel

* ''Binary'' (novel), a 1972 novel by Michael Crichton (writing as John Lange) * Binary, an evil organization in the novel ''

InterWorld ''InterWorld'' is a fantasy and science fiction novel by Neil Gaiman and Michael Reaves. The book was published in 2007 by EOS, an imprint of HarperCollins Publishers. It follows the story of Joey Harker who, together with a group of other Joe ...

Other uses

* Binary opposition, polar opposites, often ignoring the middle ground *

Gender binary The gender binary (also known as gender binarism) is the classification of gender into two distinct, opposite forms of masculine and feminine, whether by social system, cultural belief, or both simultaneously. Most cultures use a gender bina ...

, the classification of sex and gender into two distinct and disconnected forms of masculine and feminine