For example: the number we call in a base 10 numbering system 17, is written in a base 2 numbering system 10001. If I were reading that number to someone, would I say “seventeen”, “one zero zero zero one”, or “ten thousand and one”?
one zero zero zero one
You can’t say “seventeen,” since that implies base-10. I’d say “one zero zero zero one” to be absolutely clear, or use the far more convenient base-16 and say “one one”. 
I’d use “oh” for zero, if I had to read off lots of binary. That one syllable doesn’t seem like much, but it’s more efficient. 
I work with binary a lot. I would say one oh oh oh one, or I’d say eleven hex. In hex I’d count ten, eleven, twelve … nineteen, one A, one B, one C, one D, one E, one F. In other words I wouldn’t say eff-teen for 1F.
Most of the people I work with also use oh instead of zero.
Yeah, but it would make reading off binary sound like a Led Zepplin song.
One, oh oh oh oh oh,
One one one oh one, oh oh oh, oh…
What’s wrong with saying it in base 10? If you’re talking to a human (presumably), then that’s probably what they’re most comfortable with. If you use any other base, then remember to specify. 10001 base 2. 11 hex, 21 base 8, etc.
In general, if you’re talking to someone about binary then they are also familiar with hex. It’s much easier to convert binary strings to hex than it is to convert them to decimal, since in binary every 4 bits is a hex digit.
If you have the pattern 0110 1001 1000 0001 you could just say 6-9-8-1 hex (which would be a lot faster than saying oh one one oh… etc). I’d have to get a calculator or at least a pencil to figure out what that was in decimal.
There’s nothing wrong with saying it in decimal, as long as the other person knows what you are talking about, but in general its much easier with hex.
Yup, I agree engineer_comp_geek.
By the way, hex is base 16 for those of you playing at home.
10001 is pronounced “deucey bit.” Let me explain…
1 bit
10 biney
11 biney bit
100 ikey
101 ikey bit
110 ikey biney
111 ikey biney bit
1000 bytey
1001 bytey bit
1010 bytey biney
1011 bytey biney bit
1100 bytey ikey
1101 bytey ikey bit
1110 bytey ikey biney
1111 bytey ikey biney bit
10000 deucey
10001 deucey bit
The fact remains that regardless of the numeral system employed, the number “seventeen” represents the same thing. You can write it 17, 10001, 11, 21, 10, or countless other ways. Different numerals…but same number.
To me, it makes sense to read 10001 as “seventeen.” The person on the receiving end will use the numeral base that suits him best. If he needs binary, he’ll know it.
If I’m asked what 17 is in binary, i would read the numeral of each individual bit, “one oh oh oh one.”
Darn it, manhattan!
Now I have to clean up all the spit from my monitor!
must ignore…must let it go…Nope, can’t, sorry gotta do it
[nitpick]
it’s Led Zeppelin
[/nitpick]
::runs away::