Binary may refer to:

Science and technology

Mathematics

Binary number A binary number is a number expressed in the Radix, base-2 numeral system or binary numeral system, a method for representing numbers that uses only two symbols for the natural numbers: typically "0" (zero) and "1" (one). A ''binary number'' may ...

, a representation of numbers using only two values (0 and 1) for each digit *

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 \right ...

, 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, a binary operation ...

, a mathematical operation that takes two arguments *

Binary relation In mathematics, a binary relation associates some elements of one Set (mathematics), set called the ''domain'' with some elements of another set called the ''codomain''. Precisely, a binary relation over sets X and Y is a set of ordered pairs ...

, a relation involving two elements *

Finger binary Finger binary is a system for Finger counting, counting and displaying Binary numeral system, 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 fi ...

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

Computing

Binary code A binary code represents plain text, text, instruction set, 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, binary number system. The binary cod ...

, the representation of text and data using only the digits 1 and 0 *

Bit The bit is the most basic unit of information in computing and digital communication. 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 as ...

, 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 files ...

, composed of something other than human-readable text **

Executable In computer science, 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), in ...

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

Binary tree In computer science, a binary tree is a tree data structure in which each node has at most two children, referred to as the ''left child'' and the ''right child''. That is, it is a ''k''-ary tree with . A recursive definition using set theor ...

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

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 f ...

, a method for encoding for decimal digits in binary sequences

Astronomy

Binary star A binary star or binary star system 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 as separate stars us ...

, a star system with two stars in it * Binary planet, 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 values (0 and 1) for each digit * Binary function, a function that takes two arguments * Binary operation, a mathematical o ...

, 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 solid ...

, a chemical compound containing two different chemical elements

Arts and entertainment

* ''Binary'' (Doctor Who audio)

Marvel Comics

* Binary, the name of two superheroines in the Marvel Universe **

Binary (Carol Danvers) 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, the character First appearance, first appeared as an Officer (armed forces), officer in th ...

, a Marvel Comics character **

Binary (Marvel Cinematic Universe) Binary may refer to: Science and technology Mathematics * Binary number, a representation of numbers using only two values (0 and 1) for each digit * Binary function, a function that takes two arguments * Binary operation, a mathematical o ...

, or Maria Rambeau, a Marvel Cinematic Universe character

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 music, Baro ...

, 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 Jo ...

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

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