Decimal Number System

Overview - Number Systems

Probably the biggest stumbling block most beginning programmers encounter when attempting to learn assembly language is the common use of the binary and hexadecimal numbering systems. Understanding these numbering systems is important because their use simplifies other complex topics including boolean algebra and logic design, signed numeric representation, character codes, and packed data.

Microcontrollers don't use the decimal system to read and write numbers. Instead, they use a binary or two's complement numbering system. To understand the limitations of computer arithmetic, you must understand how computers represent numbers.

There are three number bases commonly used in PICBASIC. These are:

The Decimal Number Base Systems

The Decimal Number System uses base 10. It includes the digits from 0 through 9. The weighted values for each position is as follows:

You have been using the decimal (base 10) numbering system for so long that you often take it for granted. When you see a number like "123", you don't think about the value 123. Instead, you generate a mental image of how many items this value represents. In reality, however, the number 123 represents: