Thanks alot every1 on this thread, just wanted to say that. VERY helpfull
Edit: ive done a 8 bit ROM to now and i read through the thread a coupple of times but there is something i am wondering about.. Bits are always said in a binary(1 2 4 8 16 32 64 128 so on(is theese number called binarys or is it only ones and zeroes that are binary?)) And if he ad another bit he have 9 instead of 8, why is there no nintendo 67 then if they could just add another bit? or do i have this all wrong? please help
Edit:
Oh wait, you were asking about the "Cult of the Sacred 2", as in "Why are all the values for data storage and bit processing always values of 2?"
I only know the answer for why Data-storage sizes are always powers of 2: Addressing. A 4-bit address can code for 16 different locations. If you want 17 locations, then you have to add a 5th bit to all your memory addresses. However, adding that bit to all the addresses is a little bit bothersome, so if you're going to do all the work needed to get the 17th Address to work, you might as well do a little bit more and add Addresses 18-32 in as well. Every time you increase the number of Bits required for an address, it slows down your system a little bit, so you might as well get as much advantage as you can from the added cost.
Now if you're wondering why Processors always seem to be 4, 8, 16, 32, or 64 Bits...I have no Idea. There might be a reason, but I honestly think it's because the designers of digital devices are infatuated with the number 2 and its powers and can't imagine doing calculations with "Impure" numbers. Everybody else simply assumes that there is a good reason for it and just goes along with it because wouldn't you feel like an idiot if you went against their recommendations and made a 25-Bit processor and then something went horribly wrong? Yeah, best stick to the safety of 2 and its progeny. Nothing ever goes wrong with powers of 2.
Hans Lemurson's Thread of Links:http://www.minecraftforum.net/topic/371610-hans-lemursons-thread-of-links/
Look here to find links to my inventions, creations, and my Youtube channel featuring Amazing Creations of Mine (Redstone engineering FTW!!!) and charming Music-Videos about clones. I also made "Minecraft in Minecraft" (2D platformer/building game). I'm currently trying to make a computer.
Binary:
1 = 2^0
2 = 2^1
4 = 2^2
8 = 2^3
13 = 1101
1*(2^3) + 1*(2^2) + 0*(2^1) + 1*(2^0)
1*(8) + 1*(4) + 0*(2) + 1*(1)
8 + 4 + 0 + 1 = 13
Decimal
1 = (10^0)
10 = (10^1)
100 = (10^2)
237 = 237 (surprise!)
2*(10^2) + 3*(10^1) + 7*(10^0)
2*(100) + 3*(10) + 7*(1)
200 + 30 + 7 = 237
Does this clarify your understanding?
Edit:
Oh wait, you were asking about the "Cult of the Sacred 2", as in "Why are all the values for data storage and bit processing always values of 2?"
I only know the answer for why Data-storage sizes are always powers of 2: Addressing. A 4-bit address can code for 16 different locations. If you want 17 locations, then you have to add a 5th bit to all your memory addresses. However, adding that bit to all the addresses is a little bit bothersome, so if you're going to do all the work needed to get the 17th Address to work, you might as well do a little bit more and add Addresses 18-32 in as well. Every time you increase the number of Bits required for an address, it slows down your system a little bit, so you might as well get as much advantage as you can from the added cost.
Now if you're wondering why Processors always seem to be 4, 8, 16, 32, or 64 Bits...I have no Idea. There might be a reason, but I honestly think it's because the designers of digital devices are infatuated with the number 2 and its powers and can't imagine doing calculations with "Impure" numbers. Everybody else simply assumes that there is a good reason for it and just goes along with it because wouldn't you feel like an idiot if you went against their recommendations and made a 25-Bit processor and then something went horribly wrong? Yeah, best stick to the safety of 2 and its progeny. Nothing ever goes wrong with powers of 2.
Look here to find links to my inventions, creations, and my Youtube channel featuring Amazing Creations of Mine (Redstone engineering FTW!!!) and charming Music-Videos about clones. I also made "Minecraft in Minecraft" (2D platformer/building game). I'm currently trying to make a computer.