Binary, ternary, quaternary, or decimal
An example of a computer based on the decimal number system is the first U.S. computer Mark I.
The most important step in the development of computer technology has been a transition to an internal representation of numbers in binary form. This greatly simplified the design of computing devices and peripheral equipment. The adoption of the basis for the binary number system has allowed more than simply implement arithmetic functions and logical operations.
Nevertheless, the transition to a binary logic was not instantaneous and unconditional process. Many designers are trying to develop computers based on more familiar to human decimal number system. Widely used, and other constructive solutions. For example, one of the early Soviet machines worked on the basis of the ternary number system, the use of which in many respects more advantageous and convenient in comparison with the binary system (numeral systems Setun project was developed and implemented a talented Soviet engineers NPBrusentsov).
In the computer (processor), created in Hitogurovym MEPI, applied quaternary numeral system with the transfer of one supermastergroup values for the four signal wires (for one thing - high voltage, three - low).
In general, however, the choice of the internal reporting system does not change the basic principles of the computer - any computer can emulate any other.