How physical devices can process abstract information.

Mariusz Postol

It looks like an academic problem but all developers must be aware of it.

We know or should know that we must overcome the impossibility of information computation because the computation requires a device, information is an abstract notion. Hence, physical devices cannot deal directly with abstraction. To overcome this we must consider using a binary coding system to represent the information for the computation purpose; in other words to implement this abstraction. The implementation must be binary because today computers are and in the predictable future will be binary machines. Unfortunately, using the binary coding system is impractical or even impossible considering the natural human environment. In trying to find a replacement for the binary coding system we must also keep in mind that the information representation has to be portable, and should not be tightly coupled with the computation platform.

How do modern programming languages address this problem? What can be used to replace the binary coding systems?

4 Replies

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Mariusz Postol2y ago
Hi Jayraj Chhaya,

Thanks for contributing to this topic.

You said, "JSON and XML are not tightly coupled with any specific programming language". Let me add they are not coupled at all with any programming language I know. Hence you can safely remove everything related to JSON and XML from all your answers. It is out of the scope of this question. Unfortunately, after doing this there is nothing related to programming languages. Maybe except "higher-level abstractions refer to programming constructs" - would you be so kind as to name the constructs in C# for example?

I still believe that developers waiting for a short and concise answer on how to implement a binary coding system (for example natural binary-coded decimal (NBCD), 2’s Complement to name only a few).

Rdgs, Mariusz
Jayraj Chhaya2y ago
Hi Mariusz Postol,

First: do you believe that JSON and XML formats are tightly coupled with any programming language? As you said both are text-based formats so what is a relationship with binary representation? To get more check out my article: "External Streaming Data - Bitstream Format" at . For me, both are external data.

Ans :-

JSON and XML are not tightly coupled with any specific programming language because they are text-based data formats. They can be interpreted and generated by various programming languages. This concept aligns with the idea that information representation should not be tightly coupled to the computing platform.

Although JSON and XML are text-based, computers ultimately process them in binary format. Programming languages often use libraries or modules to handle the conversion between text-based formats, like JSON and XML, and the binary data that a computer's hardware can process. This is essential because computers are, and are expected to remain, binary machines.

Second: "By leveraging these higher-level abstractions" what do you mean? What are "higher-level abstractions" in terms of a programming language?

Ans :- higher-level abstractions refer to programming constructs that allow developers to work with data and operations in a way that is further removed from the underlying binary representation used by computers. They simplify complex operations and make code easier to write, read, and maintain.

Here's why JSON and XML can be considered examples of higher-level abstractions:
- They abstract away binary representation: While computers ultimately process data in binary format, JSON and XML allow developers to work with data in a human-readable text-based format. This abstraction is important because it frees developers from having to think about the complexities of binary representation
- They provide a standardized structure: Both JSON and XML offer predefined ways to structure data using elements, attributes, and values. This structured format facilitates data exchange between different systems and programming languages.
- They are supported by libraries and tools: Programming languages provide libraries and tools to parse, manipulate, and generate JSON and XML data, further simplifying their use in application development.
By leveraging these higher-level abstractions, developers can focus on solving problems and building applications without getting bogged down in the low-level details of binary data representation.
Mariusz Postol2y ago
Many thanks for your answer. It looks like your text contains a good answer but before accepting it let's try to abstract the satisfactory answer to an independent entry by addressing a few doubts.

First: do you believe that JSON and XML formats are tightly coupled with any programming language? As you said both are text-based formats so what is a relationship with binary representation? To get more check out my article: "External Streaming Data - Bitstream Format" at . For me, both are external data.

Second: "By leveraging these higher-level abstractions" what do you mean? What are "higher-level abstractions" in terms of a programming language?
Jayraj Chhaya2y ago
Modern programming languages address the limitations of binary coding systems by providing high-level abstractions that shield developers from dealing directly with binary representations. These languages offer data types and structures that allow programmers to work with information in a more human-readable and intuitive manner, abstracting away the complexities of binary encoding.

To replace binary coding systems, modern programming languages utilize various data formats such as JSON, XML, and text-based formats. These formats provide a more flexible and portable way to represent information, making it easier to work with data across different platforms and environments without being tightly coupled to binary representations.

By leveraging these higher-level abstractions and alternative data formats, modern programming languages enable developers to focus on solving problems efficiently without the constraints of binary coding systems, enhancing productivity and code readability.