What Is Binary File?

Binary files are like the Internet's dirty little secret. Everyone knows they're out there, but no one really wants to talk about them. They're used to store all kinds of data, from pictures to videos to text documents. But what are they actually? How do they work? And why should you care? Binary is just another word for "digital." Binary files are a type of computer file that stores information in binary format, which means it's all zeros and ones or on/off switches. There are no letters or numbers involved at all! It's like how robots talk to each other: 0-1-0-1-0-1. Binary files can be any size and contain any formatted or unformatted data encoded within the binary format, for example, music or video clips. They're used directly by the computer and generally can't be read by a human unless there's a program involved (like iTunes). Binary files are the bread and butter of computers. You use them to tell your computer to do things, like open an application or play a video. But whether you realize it or not, binary files are pretty much everywhere. In fact, your entire life is probably made up of binary files! Your phone has a binary file that controls the screen brightness and adjusts ringtone volume. Your car has a binary file that controls the radio station and turns on the windshield wipers when it rains. Even your toothbrush has a binary file that tells it when to turn off after two minutes of brushing (and then turns back on after thirty seconds). Your heart has a binary file controlling how fast it beats. The only thing that's NOT controlled by a binary file is your mood because if it were, we'd all be robots by now!