Discover how logical bitwise operations, specifically masking, are used to convert one bit pattern into another. Learn the role of masking in bit manipulation for efficient data processing.
Question
Which of these would help in the conversion of a bit pattern into some other bit pattern with the help of a logical bitwise operation?
A. Segregation
B. Masking
C. Inversion
D. Conversion
Answer
B. Masking
Explanation
Masking is a technique used in computer science and programming to manipulate specific bits within a binary number. It involves applying a mask, which is a predefined bit pattern, to another binary number using logical bitwise operations such as AND, OR, or XOR. This allows for the selection, modification, or inversion of specific bits while leaving others unchanged.
How Masking Works
Bitwise AND (&): Used to clear (set to 0) specific bits while keeping others unchanged.
Example:
Input: 10111001
Mask: 00001111
Result: 00001001
Here, only the last four bits are preserved.
Bitwise OR (|): Used to set (turn on) specific bits without altering others.
Example:
Input: 10100000
Mask: 00001111
Result: 10101111
Bitwise XOR (^): Used to toggle (invert) specific bits.
Example:
Input: 10101010
Mask: 11110000
Result: 01011010
Bitwise NOT (~): Inverts all bits but is not commonly referred to as masking unless combined with other operations.
Applications of Masking
- Extracting specific bits from a binary number.
- Setting or clearing flags in control registers.
- Manipulating individual bytes in larger data structures.
- Efficiently storing and retrieving Boolean states within a single integer.
Why Masking?
Masking is highly efficient for bit manipulation as it operates directly on the binary representation of data at the hardware level. This makes it ideal for low-level programming tasks such as embedded systems, networking (e.g., subnet masks), and graphics processing.
In contrast, the other options do not directly relate to logical bitwise operations:
A. Segregation: Not a standard term in this context.
C. Inversion: Refers to flipping all bits (bitwise NOT), which does not involve selective manipulation like masking.
D. Conversion: A general term that does not specify a logical operation.
Thus, masking is the definitive method for converting one bit pattern into another using logical bitwise operations.
Convolutional Neural Network CNN certification exam assessment practice question and answer (Q&A) dump including multiple choice questions (MCQ) and objective type questions, with detail explanation and reference available free, helpful to pass the Convolutional Neural Network CNN exam and earn Convolutional Neural Network CNN certification.