Binary code is a system of representing information using only two symbols: 0 and 1. This code is the foundation of all digital computing, as computers use binary to process and store data. Each digit in binary is called a "bit," and groups of bits can represent numbers, letters, and other characters through various encoding systems. In binary, the value of each bit depends on its position, similar to how decimal numbers work. For example, the binary number 101 represents the decimal number 5. Understanding binary code is essential for fields like computer science and programming, as it underlies how software and hardware communicate.