As a developer, knowing how to work with different numeral systems is essential. One such system is hexadecimal, which is commonly used in web development. In JavaScript, there are several ways to convert decimal to hex. In this article, we will explore the different methods of converting decimal to hex in JavaScript.

Understanding Decimal and Hexadecimal

Before we dive into the different methods of converting decimal to hex in JavaScript, let’s first understand what decimal and hexadecimal are.

Decimal System

The decimal system is a base-10 numeral system that uses ten symbols (0-9) to represent numbers. Each digit in a decimal number represents a power of 10. For example, in the number 123, the digit 1 represents 100, the digit 2 represents 10, and the digit 3 represents 1.

Hexadecimal System

The hexadecimal system is a base-16 numeral system that uses 16 symbols (0-9 and A-F) to represent numbers. Each digit in a hexadecimal number represents a power of 16. For example, in the number 1F, the digit 1 represents 16, and the digit F represents 15.

Converting Decimal to Hex in JavaScript

Now that we understand decimal and hexadecimal let’s explore the different methods of converting decimal to hex in JavaScript.

Method 1: Using toString(16)

JavaScript provides a built-in method called toString() that can be used to convert a decimal number to a hexadecimal string. The method takes one parameter, which is the base of the numeral system we want to convert to. In this case, we want to convert to base-16, so we pass 16 as the parameter.

const decimal = 255; 
const hex = decimal.toString(16); 
console.log(hex);

Output:

“ff”

Method 2: Using parseInt() and toString()

Another way to convert decimal to hex in JavaScript is by using the parseInt() and toString() methods. The parseInt() method can be used to convert a string to a decimal number, and the toString() method can be used to convert a decimal number to a string in a different base. In this case, we pass 16 as the second parameter to toString() to convert to base-16.

const decimal = 255;
const hex = decimal.toString(16);
console.log(hex);

Output:

“ff”

Method 3: Using Bitwise Operators

A third method to convert decimal to hex in JavaScript is by using bitwise operators. Bitwise operators work by manipulating the binary representation of numbers. To convert decimal to hex using bitwise operators, we first convert the decimal number to a 32-bit binary number and then group the binary digits into four groups. Each group represents a hexadecimal digit.

const decimal = 255;
const hex = (decimal + 0x10000).toString(16).substr(-2);
console.log(hex); 

Output:

“ff”

Method 4: Using padStart Method

A fourth method to use the String.prototype.padStart() method. This method pads the start of a string with a specified character until it reaches a certain length. By passing in 0 as the pad character, we can pad the start of the resulting string with zeroes until it reaches a certain length. This method works for both decimal and fractional parts of the number.

let decimalNumber = 255;
let hexNumber = decimalNumber.toString(16).padStart(2, '0');
console.log(hexNumber);

Output:

“ff”

Conclusion

In this article, we explored the different methods of converting decimal to hex in JavaScript. We learned about the decimal and hexadecimal numeral systems and how to convert between them using JavaScript’s built-in methods and bitwise operators. As a developer, it’s essential to understand these concepts and be able to work with different numeral systems.

FAQs

1. What is the decimal system?
   • The decimal system is a base-10 numeral system that uses ten symbols (0-9) to represent numbers.
2. What is the hexadecimal system?
   • The hexadecimal system is a base-16 numeral system that uses 16 symbols (0-9 and A-F) to represent numbers.
3. How can I convert a decimal number to hex in JavaScript?
   • You can convert a decimal number to hex in JavaScript using built-in methods such as toString(16) or parseInt() and toString(). You can also use bitwise operators to perform the conversion.
4. Can I convert a hex number to a decimal in JavaScript?
   • Yes, you can convert a hex number to a decimal in JavaScript using the parseInt() method. You can pass the hex number as the first parameter and the base of the numeral system (16) as the second parameter.
5. Why is it important to be able to work with different numeral systems as a developer?
   • Working with different numeral systems is essential for developers who work with computer systems, networks, and web development. It enables them to manipulate and work with data more efficiently and effectively. Understanding different numeral systems is also a fundamental concept in computer science and programming.