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 In mathematics, a binary function (also called bivariate function, or function of two variables) is a function that takes two inputs. Precisely stated, a function f is binary if there exists sets X, Y, Z such that :\,f \colon X \times Y \rightar ...

, 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 In mathematics, a binary relation associates elements of one set, called the ''domain'', with elements of another set, called the ''codomain''. A binary relation over Set (mathematics), sets and is a new set of ordered pairs consisting of ele ...

, a relation involving two elements *

Binary-coded decimal In computing and electronic systems, binary-coded decimal (BCD) is a class of binary encodings of decimal numbers where each digit is represented by a fixed number of bits, usually four or eight. Sometimes, special bit patterns are used for ...

, a method for encoding for decimal digits in binary sequences * Finger binary, a system for counting in binary numbers on the fingers of human hands

Computing

Binary code A binary code represents text, computer processor instructions, or any other data using a two-symbol system. The two-symbol system used is often "0" and "1" from the binary number system. The binary code assigns a pattern of binary digits, also ...

, 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 represented a ...

, or binary digit, the basic unit of information in computers * Binary file, composed of something other than human-readable text **

Executable In computing, executable code, an executable file, or an executable program, sometimes simply referred to as an executable or binary, causes a computer "to perform indicated tasks according to encoded instruction (computer science), instructi ...

, a type of binary file that contains machine code for the computer to execute *

Binary tree In computer science, a binary tree is a k-ary k = 2 tree data structure in which each node has at most two children, which are referred to as the ' and the '. A recursive definition using just set theory notions is that a (non-empty) binary t ...

, a computer tree data structure in which each node has at most two children

Astronomy

Binary star A binary star is a system of two stars that are gravitationally bound to and in orbit around each other. Binary stars in the night sky that are seen as a single object to the naked eye are often resolved using a telescope as separate stars, in wh ...

, a star system with two stars in it * Binary planet, two planetary bodies of comparable mass orbiting each other * Binary asteroid, two asteroids orbiting each other

Biology

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

Chemistry

* Binary phase, a chemical compound containing two different chemical elements

Arts and entertainment

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

Music

Binary form Binary form is a musical form in 2 related sections, both of which are usually repeated. Binary is also a structure used to choreograph dance. In music this is usually performed as A-A-B-B. Binary form was popular during the Baroque period, of ...

, 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''

Other uses

Binary opposition A binary opposition (also binary system) is a pair of related terms or concepts that are opposite in meaning. Binary opposition is the system of language and/or thought by which two theoretical opposites are strictly defined and set off against one ...

, polar opposites, often ignoring the middle ground * Gender binary, the classification of sex and gender into two distinct and disconnected forms of masculine and feminine