Forum Home
Press F1
 
Thread ID: 105917 2009-12-18 20:37:00 Why bits AND bytes? xyz823 (13649) Press F1
Post ID Timestamp Content User
840995 2009-12-19 12:25:00 A Bit is analogous to a letter
A Byte is analogous to a word.
A Bit is either 0 or 1
A Byte on a PC is 8 bits
on other architectures it may be different.
en.wikipedia.org
Also the difference between a decimal Gigabyte, and a binary one
often causes confusion among neophytes.
I know it irritates me.
Why can't they just pick one, or the other, it
probably doesn't matter which one, and just stick with it?
KarameaDave (15222)
840996 2009-12-19 13:41:00 A Bit is analogous to a letter
A Byte is analogous to a word.
A Bit is either 0 or 1
A Byte on a PC is 8 bits

It takes 1 byte to store 1 letter/character
Coaster (270)
840997 2009-12-19 22:50:00 Yes, sorry you're right.
had a bit of a long day and managed to confuse myself.:blush:
KarameaDave (15222)
840998 2009-12-19 23:16:00 Yes, sorry you're right.
had a bit of a long day and managed to confuse myself.:blush:

No, I think you were right. You weren't saying that a bit IS a letter, you were saying it's comparable to one. A letter is the smallest particle in writing. A bit is the smallest particle in coding.

It may take a byte to store a letter but if you're trying to explain their uses within computers then your explanation gets the job done quite well.

Also, ChillingSilence... Back in the day? We're still using them and they still mean on/off.
Thebananamonkey (7741)
1 2