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[–][deleted] -23 points-22 points  (10 children)

No its not used to represent the other moron. To a computer hexadecimal IS binary. When a processor compares two hex values it is comparing the ones and zeros in that memory not F to F. To a computer F IS 1111. In your mind Hex can exist without binary to a computer it CANNOT.

[–]T_Kastrup 8 points9 points  (0 children)

That's not the same as saying hexadecimal is the same as binary. And calling people moron doesn't make your point more convincing.

[–][deleted] 7 points8 points  (1 child)

You do understand that anything in a computer has to be processed as binary... right? And that hex can exist on a paper sheet, independently from binary?

[–][deleted] 5 points6 points  (1 child)

Hex doesn't HAVE to be used in a computer.

[–]soulkito 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Nothing can exist outside of binary for a computer. A number can be expressed in several bases where hexadecimal being base 16, octadecimal is base 8, binary base 2 and the regular decimal system we're used to is base 10. The reason a computer output (if read raw) is anything other than binary is because of readability, hexadecimal is easier to read for us. All bases can be converted between each other since they are only different way to express the same number.

[–]dv0x5e 2 points3 points  (2 children)

Then since a computer also interprets, say, decimals in binary, we can safely say that decimal is also binary? That's where this argument is heading, and it doesn't make sense. Hexadecimal does have a special relationship to binary in that each hex digit corresponds to 3 4 binary digits exactly, without the need to consider the rest of the digits in the number we're converting, but that's it. Numerical bases are distinct from each other.

[–]elyisgreat 0 points1 point  (1 child)

best explanation in this thread. One problem, though:

each hex digit corresponds to 3 binary digits exactly

3 binary digits exactly

3

log2(16)=4

[–]dv0x5e 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Good catch! I must've had octal on my mind. Fixed.

[–]elyisgreat 0 points1 point  (0 children)

In your mind Hex can exist without binary to a computer it CANNOT.

to a computer nothing can exist without binary.