5 exercises on how to pronounce binary literals, hex values, IP addresses and speeds.
0 / 5 completed
1 / 5
How do you say the binary literal "0b1010" aloud in a technical discussion?
Binary literals like 0b1010 are read as "binary one-zero-one-zero" — speak the prefix as "binary" or "zero-b" then read each digit. Some engineers say "zero-b" /zɪərəʊ biː/ for the "0b" prefix. So "the value is binary one-zero-one-zero, which equals decimal ten." You may also say "zero-b one-zero-one-zero." Avoid reading the raw "0b" as "oh-bee" in formal code reviews.
2 / 5
How do you say "0xFF" (a hexadecimal literal) aloud?
0xFF is read as "zero-x-F-F" /zɪərəʊ ɛks ɛf ɛf/ (speaking each part) or as "hex two-fifty-five" when the value matters more than the notation. "0x" is the hex prefix, spoken "zero-x." So "the colour mask is zero-x-FF-FF-FF" or "that's hex 255." In code review, say each digit; in value discussions, the decimal equivalent is clearer.
3 / 5
How do you read an IPv4 address like "192.168.1.1" aloud?
IPv4 addresses are read "one-nine-two dot one-six-eight dot one dot one" — each octet's digits spoken individually (not as a full number), separated by "dot." So "connect to one-nine-two dot one-six-eight dot one dot one." Use "dot" /dɒt/, not "point" /pɔɪnt/ — "point" is for decimals. Read each digit separately: "one-nine-two" not "one hundred and ninety-two."
4 / 5
How do you say an IPv6 address segment like "2001:0db8" aloud?
IPv6 segments like 2001:0db8 are read by speaking each group's characters with "colon" as the separator: "twenty-oh-one colon zero-dee-bee-eight." Digits are read naturally (2001 → "twenty-oh-one" or "two-zero-zero-one"), and hex letters are spelled out. So "the prefix is twenty-oh-one colon oh-dee-bee-eight." "Colon" /ˈkoʊlən/ is always used, never "dot."
5 / 5
How do you say "10Gbps" (network speed) aloud?
10Gbps is read "ten gigabits per second" /tɛn ˈɡɪɡəbɪts pər ˈsɛkənd/ — the numeral "ten," then "gigabits" /ˈɡɪɡəbɪts/ (note: bits, not bytes), then "per second." So "the interface runs at ten gigabits per second." Do not say "gigabytes" — "Gbps" is bits (lowercase b = bit; uppercase B = byte). In quick speech, "ten gig" is also understood in context.