Computer Science Question

[James McDonald]

Hi All,

I am wondering how to do the following:

Say I have a list of values I want to assign to a person e.g.

1. Male
2. Female
3. Happy
4. Sad
5. Child
6. Red is favorite color
7. Blue is favorite color
8. RIght handed
9. Left handed
etc.

Now how do I make the list contain numerical values that I can then add 
together and then end up with a number that I can reverse and discern 
which values were assigned to the person?

I believe that there is something in binary that means you can assign 
bit or a corresponding number to each option and then pull out the 
selections programmatically

My problem is I can't figure out what to Google to teach myself how to 
do it.

Can anyone point me in the right direction?

Thanks.
James McD.