If bits are continuous how can computers tell them apart?

Question

If bits are just a signal that switches from being on to being off, how does a computer know to interpret how many bits are being represented by each switch? Like, for example, how does a computer know a message is 0100011001 instead of just 010101. Also, if a message starts with a 0, how does a computer know to include in the message? Also, how does a computer know when one message ends and another begins?

In: Technology

Answer 1

If you’re talking about serial data transfer, a common thing you’ll see in protocols is a clock signal – beside the actual data, there is another line effectively sending 10101010101 so the receiving side knows when to grab the next bit.