Final answer:
Endian-ness relates to the byte ordering of data in computer systems. It determines how multi-byte values are stored and accessed in memory.
Step-by-step explanation:
Endian-ness refers to the byte ordering of data in computer systems. It determines how multi-byte values, such as integers and floating-point numbers, are stored and accessed in memory. There are two types of endian-ness:
- Big-endian: In big-endian systems, the most significant byte is stored first in memory. This means that the lower-order bytes come after the higher-order bytes.
- Little-endian: In little-endian systems, the least significant byte is stored first in memory. This means that the higher-order bytes come after the lower-order bytes.
Endian-ness is important in computer architecture and network protocols. Understanding the byte ordering is crucial for correctly interpreting data and ensuring compatibility between different systems.