Convert Binary to Decimal for Programming: Debug Bitwise Operations

100% Private • Report Issue

Input

From

Step-by-Step Workflow

Paste binary value from debugger watch window

Tool converts to decimal automatically

Compare result to expected value in code comments

Specifications

Primary conversion: Binary → Decimal
Common use: Bitwise operations, flag debugging
Max binary length: 64 bits (JavaScript safe integer)
Leading zeros: Preserved in input, stripped in output

The Challenge

Debuggers display bitwise operation results in binary (10110101) which are impossible to interpret mentally. Converting to decimal (181) or hex (0xB5) reveals patterns instantly and speeds debugging by 5-10 minutes per session. Binary flags especially confuse: is 11111111 the expected value? Decimal 255 confirms it's max byte. Is 10000000 a signed negative? Decimal 128 shows the sign bit. Wrong interpretation wastes hours chasing phantom bugs.

Best Practices

Common patterns: 11111111 = 255 (max byte), 10000000 = 128 (sign bit), 01111111 = 127 (max signed positive)
Use hex as intermediate for long binary—easier to read 0xB5 than 10110101 in 32-bit values
Leading zeros matter in fixed-width fields: 00000001 ≠ 1 for protocol specs or register values
Powers of 2: memorize 2^8=256, 2^16=65536, 2^32=4294967296 for quick sanity checks
Negative numbers in two's complement: 11111111 = -1 in signed 8-bit, 255 in unsigned—context determines interpretation
Bitwise AND/OR results: convert both operands and result to decimal to verify logic correctness
Debugger sometimes shows 0b prefix (0b10110101) or no prefix—tool handles both formats automatically

Frequently Asked Questions

Should I convert binary to decimal or hex for debugging?

Decimal for numeric values and comparisons (array indices, counters, mathematical operations). Hex for memory addresses, bit flags, and protocol values—groups bits into nibbles (4-bit chunks) matching hardware architecture. Use both: decimal confirms math correctness, hex shows bit patterns.

How do I handle negative binary numbers?

Depends on signed vs unsigned interpretation. 11111111 = 255 unsigned, -1 in signed 8-bit two's complement. Check variable type in code. Debuggers usually show both—tooltip or watch window displays 'signed: -1, unsigned: 255'. Tool outputs unsigned decimal; manually interpret negative if needed.

Can I batch convert multiple binary values?

No, process one at a time. Most debugging scenarios need individual interpretation with code context. For bulk conversion (parsing binary logs), write script: Python's int('10110101', 2) or JavaScript's parseInt('10110101', 2). Manual tool better for interactive debugging.

Why does my binary have leading zeros?

Fixed-width fields in protocols, registers, or hardware interfaces. 00000001 explicitly shows 8-bit context, distinguishing from variable-width 1. Leading zeros preserve bit position information—critical for bitwise shifts and masking operations. Tool strips them in decimal output but preserves during conversion.