What is a Binary File?

A binary file is a type of computer file that stores information using only two numbers: 0 and 1. Computers use these numbers to understand and process data. It’s like a secret code that the computer reads to perform tasks, display pictures, play sounds, or run programs.

Unlike regular text files that we can read, like a story or a document, binary files are not meant to be read by people. They contain lots of instructions that tell the computer what to do. These files can be anything from an image to a game or a software program!

Think of it like a recipe written in a language only the computer understands. Even though we can’t read the code, the computer uses it to “cook up” something cool for us, like showing a picture or playing a video.