Changes

Binary has always been used by computers and is somewhat familiar to most.  However, some of the newest supercomputers now use ternary systems.  

Binary has always been used by computers and is somewhat familiar to most.  However, some of the newest supercomputers now use ternary systems.  

===Binary===

===Binary===

Since the beginning of the digital computer, and even before this (when computers were mechanical), computers have always used "ones" and "zeros" for every calculation and operation.  *The processor and circuitry operate using electrical pulses.  A pulse is a "one" while a pause (no additional energy sent) is a "zero."   

Since the beginning of the digital computer, and even before this (when computers were mechanical), computers have always used "ones" and "zeros" for every calculation and operation.   

*The processor and circuitry operate using electrical pulses.  A pulse is a "one" while a pause (no additional energy sent) is a "zero."   

*The [[Random-access memory|RAM]] switches are held in one position ("one") or released to the other ("zero")

*The [[Random-access memory|RAM]] switches are held in one position ("one") or released to the other ("zero")

*Magnetic disks are magnetized to positive or negative, which represent "zero" and "one"

*Magnetic disks are magnetized to positive or negative, which represent "zero" and "one"

Every part of a binary computer uses theses "ones" and "zeros" for everything.

Every part of a binary computer uses theses "ones" and "zeros" for everything.

===Ternary===

===Ternary (trinary)===

A new and evolving kind of computer breaks the "rules" of computer design entirely.  Using properties of [[quantum mechanics]], these computers make use of alternate states of matter which can only exist very near [[absolute zero]].  Using these, a [[quantum computer]] can not only use ones and zeros, but also a sort of "both one and zero."  Ternary processors must be kept incredibly cold, however.  Due to this problem, as well as many other technical issues, that ternary computers are not commercially available.  For now, these remain restricted to laboratories where space and liquid nitrogen are plentiful.  However, it is believed that they may  

A new and evolving kind of computer breaks the "rules" of computer design entirely.  Using properties of [[quantum mechanics]], these computers make use of alternate states of matter which can only exist very near [[absolute zero]].  Using these, a [[quantum computer]] can not only use ones and zeros, but also a sort of "both one and zero."  Ternary processors must be kept incredibly cold, however.  Due to this requiement, as well as many other technical issues, ternary computers are not commercially available.  For now, these remain restricted to laboratories where space and liquid nitrogen are plentiful.  However, it is believed that they may  

eventually replace binary computers.<ref>"quantum computer." Encyclopaedia Britannica. Britannica Academic. Encyclopædia Britannica Inc., 2016. Web. 31 May. 2016. <http://0-academic.eb.com.www.consuls.org/EBchecked/topic/746092/quantum-computer>.</ref>

eventually replace binary computers.<ref>"quantum computer." Encyclopaedia Britannica. Britannica Academic. Encyclopædia Britannica Inc., 2016. Web. 31 May. 2016. <http://0-academic.eb.com.www.consuls.org/EBchecked/topic/746092/quantum-computer>.</ref>

==See also==

==See also==

*[[Ada Lovelace]]

*[[Ada Lovelace]]