Hexadecimal Color Numbers

When you and I count, we start with "1." Even when we reach 723,122,984, we have still used only ten numbers: 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 and 9. That's because we use a "decimal" counting system — a system based on ten numbers.

You may know that computers use a "binary" number system — a system based on two numbers: 0 and 1. The "hexadecimal system is based on the use of sixteen numbers: 0 through 9 (that's ten numbers) plus the letters A through F. "A" represents what you and I call "10." "B" represents what you and I call "11." If you get your fingers out real quick, you'll see that "F" represents "15."

If we had to be able to count in "hex" in order to create Web pages, most of us would be disqualified pronto. But you already know that we can create Web pages with nary a clue as to how to use the hexadecimal number system.

In dealing with colors in the course of Web page creation, however, there are some instances where a knowledge of how to use hexadecimal numbers makes possible increased flexibility and creativity. Fortunately, there are some readily available software "tools" that make it possible to deal with "hex" without ever being able to count past sixteen — that is, without understanding the hexadecimal system at all!

What follows on Page 30 is an exploration of one such tool.