In computer science, a mask is data that is used for bitwise operations, particularly in a bit field.
Using a mask, multiple bits in a byte, nibble, word (etc.) can be set either on, off or inverted from on to off (or vice versa) in a single bitwise operation.
Famous quotes containing the word mask:
“It appears to me that men are hired to run down men of genius under the mask of translators, but Dante gives too much of Caesar: he is not a republican.”
—William Blake (1757–1827)