Question 1

Why does another converter accept a value this one rejects?

Accepted Answer

Many converters use a parse function that stops at the first invalid character and silently returns what it read. Parsing 19 as octal that way gives 1, not an error. This one checks every digit against the base, so a typo is reported instead of quietly changing your number.

Question 2

Why is hexadecimal used so much in computing?

Accepted Answer

One hex digit maps exactly to four binary digits, so a byte is always two hex characters. That makes memory addresses, colour codes and binary data far easier to read than long strings of ones and zeros.

Question 3

What is the largest base supported?

Accepted Answer

Base 36, which uses the ten digits plus the twenty-six letters. Beyond that there are no agreed digit symbols.