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Bit (binary digit) - an explanation

Smallest unit of data processing information. Assumes value of 1 or 0.Bit

A binary digit is called a bit. Usually expressed as 0 and 1 the two numbers of the binary numbering system. A bit is the smallest unit of information a computer can use. A 16 bit computer would process a series of 16 bits,such as 0100111101011000 in one go, repeating the process thousands or millions of times per second.

Reading a series of bits is very difficult and to make this process easier they are often displayed in groups of 4 bits
0100 1111 0101 1000

This grouping is quite interesting in that a group of 4 bits can be replaced by a single hexadecimal digit Two groups of 4 bits, i.e. 8 bits ( a byte) can be replaced by 2 hexadecimal digits, and 4 hexadecimal digits are required to replace all 16 bits.


Byte

A group of 8 bits are in a byte. With 8 bits ( binary digits ), there exists 256 possible denary combinations. If you remember that 1 byte can store one alphabetical letter, single digit, or a single character/symbol, such as #. Large numbers of bytes can be expressed by kilobyte and megabyte.


Kilobyte

The value of a kilobyte is 1024. Worked out as 2^10. Normally Kilo refers to 1000 but in computing kilobyte is 1024.

Kilobyte

Likewise, 1024Kb is referred to as a "Megabyte". Normally a Mega refers to a million. In computing 1 Mega byte is 1,048,576 bytes. Worked out as 2^20, or 1024*1024.

1 byte of memory can normally hold one of the following:
  • a single alphabetical letter (upper or lower case),
  • a single number 0-9
  • a symbol ( _ + £ # > etc
  • a further 127 alternative characters. These could be the letters used in foreign languages, lines to produce boxes etc.