Moderator: ickputzdirwech
Because hex is very compact and people with programming background usually can convert between bin and hex on fly.
I still think binary has it’s usecases, especially when taking an output and copy/paste it as input for something else. 
You don't need to think about 1, 2, 4 and 8. Think in groups of 4 bits. You can look at the number 0xABCDE67 and see that unloaders for wagons 19 and 18 are active and for 17 and 16 are not (C=1100). And wagons 15, 14 and 12 are active too (D=1101). It takes a little practice to remember mapping between hex digits and their binary representations. But then you can read and write hex masks almost instantly.
This. Hex translates easily and directly to binary, is more compact, and more readable and usable in nearly all cases. Memorizing the sixteen binary representations each hex digit encodes isn't difficult (and can be pretty easily worked out from first principles anyway), and anyone who wants to encode binary or hex numbers almost certainly knows how to do it.bormand wrote: ↑Wed Jul 22, 2020 5:52 amYou don't need to think about 1, 2, 4 and 8. Think in groups of 4 bits. You can look at the number 0xABCDE67 and see that unloaders for wagons 19 and 18 are active and for 17 and 16 are not (C=1100). And wagons 15, 14 and 12 are active too (D=1101). It takes a little practice to remember mapping between hex digits and their binary representations. But then you can read and write hex masks almost instantly.
In fact, binary is much more error prone to me. I always make stupid mistakes while counting those digits, especially if they aren't grouped.
That's why I suggest to add both formats. Both have their upsides and downsides.
I'd have no problems with a binary encode as well, but if I had to choose between hex and bin for a human-facing interface, it'd be hex every single time.coppercoil wrote: ↑Wed Jul 22, 2020 8:20 am I think the player cannot memorize sixteen representations if he uses them occasionally. Yes, he will know how to convert it using exernal tools, how about embedded tools? If we would have two display modes, why not to add the third one?
BTW every bit can be numbered, therefore no problems locating 15th bit.
Probably significant part of Factorio players have some programming experience. In work, in studies or as a hobby. Programmers are familiar with hex system and can easily count bits. I prefer hex numbers over binaries if there is more than 8 bits, because it is somewhat difficult and very error prone to count for example 10 zeros before single set bit (10000000000 or 400). They need also less room to show. Factorio uses 32 bit integers and such binary number is very inconvenient compared to 8 number hexadecimal number.coppercoil wrote: ↑Wed Jul 22, 2020 8:20 am I think the player cannot memorize sixteen representations if he uses them occasionally.
This is true. It is good idea to include both if such modification is made. Additional work is small.If we would have two display modes, why not to add the third one?
0001coppercoil wrote: ↑Fri Jul 24, 2020 4:59 pmProgrammers are familiar with hex system - yes.
Can easily count bits - no. Most programmers don't use bits often, thereby have no need to memorize them.
You may be right. I began (hobby when I was a kid) at 80's and then everyone began learing binary and hexadecimal numbers on third day after getting first computer. I could disassemble 6510 code from hex dump on screen (not practical level, because I did not remember all rare instructions) and it was not unusual nerd skill on those days.coppercoil wrote: ↑Fri Jul 24, 2020 4:59 pm Can easily count bits - no. Most programmers don't use bits often, thereby have no need to memorize them.
What is a decimal operator?
