Get an array of bits that represent an int in c#

Question

Is there a way to show the representation of an int in bits in c#?

i.e.

1  = 00001
20 = 10100

etc.

I have tried using BitConverter with no luck. This should be simple, but I can't find a solution!

This question: http://stackoverflow.com/questions/6758196/convert-int-to-a-bit-array-in-net seems to have a few solutions to your question. — Phillip Carter, Aug 14 '13 at 01:29
Thanks @EdgySwingsetAcid - knew this had to be on SO somewhere, just couldn't find it! Cue the votes to close... — Ryan, Aug 14 '13 at 01:31

score 7 · Accepted Answer · edited Jun 20 '20 at 09:12

7

Convert.ToString(value, base)

Converts the value of a 32-bit signed integer to its equivalent string representation in a specified base. Specify 2 for the base.

edited Jun 20 '20 at 09:12

Community

answered Aug 14 '13 at 01:26

Robert Harvey

score 2 · Answer 2 · answered Aug 14 '13 at 01:26

2

Here's a one-liner using linq:

var myint = 20;
var bytes = Enumerable.Range(0, 32).Select(b => (myint >> b) & 1);
// { 0, 0, 1, 0, 1, 0 ... }

Of course this is in reverse order, to swap it around just use:

var myint = 20;
var bytes = Enumerable.Range(0, 32).Select(b => (myint >> (31 - b)) & 1);
// { ..., 0, 1, 0, 1, 0, 0 }

answered Aug 14 '13 at 01:26

p.s.w.g

That's smart! Thank you. I will accept the Convert.ToString() answer since it seems to be a more standard method. But I like this answer a lot! – Ryan Aug 14 '13 at 01:29

score 1 · Answer 3 · answered Aug 14 '13 at 01:29

1

You could also look at using a BitArray.

var array = new BitArray(BitConverter.GetBytes(1));

answered Aug 14 '13 at 01:29

Rohan West