Final answer:
The CPU and storage devices in a computer process data using binary ones and zeros, or bits and bytes, where a bit is a single binary value and eight bits form a byte. The CPU performs operations on binary values while storage devices maintain data long-term. Quantum computers differ by using quantum bits, which encode more information than binary bits.
Step-by-step explanation:
How the CPU and Storage Devices Process Data
The CPU (Central Processing Unit) and storage devices in a computer process data as binary ones and zeros. Essentially, all the complex instructions and information that computers handle are converted into bits and bytes. A bit is the smallest unit of data in computing and represents a single binary value, either 0 or 1. A group of eight bits makes a byte, which can represent various types of data such as a letter or number.
When data is processed, the CPU executes a set of instructions by performing arithmetic and logical operations on these binary values. Meanwhile, storage devices hold data in the form of bits and bytes when it is not being actively processed by the CPU. Devices such as hard drives, solid-state drives, and USB flash drives are used to store and retrieve data long-term. Their capacity is typically measured in bytes, with prefixes like kilo (thousands), mega (millions), giga (billions), and so on indicating the quantity of bytes they can hold.
It's important to note that, unlike traditional digital computers, quantum computers use quantum bits or qubits which can represent more information than just 0 or 1 due to the phenomena of superposition and entanglement.