How many bits in a byte? What is bit and byte?

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2018-03-26 09:26:14

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All pictures, text documents and programs are stored in computer memory in the form of bits and bytes. What are the smallest units of information and how many bits are in a byte?

how many bits in a byte

Storage memory

Computer memory is a huge set of cells filled with zeros and ones. The cell is the smallest amount of data which can address the reader. Physically it is a trigger (in modern computers). The trigger is so small that it is difficult to see even under a microscope. Each cell has a unique address where it finds the program.

Below the cell in most cases understand one byte. But, depending on the bitness of the architecture, it can combine 2, 4 or 8 bytes. Byte perceived electronic devices as a single unit, but actually it is made up of even smaller cells - bits. With 1 byte you can encode any character, e.g. a letter or number, while 1 bit is not enough.

Controllers rarely operate on individual bits, although it is technically possible. Instead, there is a reference to whole bytes or groups of bytes.

how many bits in a byte

What is bit?

Often a bit understand the unit of measurement of information. Such a definition can not be called accurate, because the very notion of information is quite vague. If to speak more correctly, the bit is the drive letter of the computer alphabet. The word "bit" comes from the English expression "binary digit", which literally means "binary digit".

The Alphabet of computers is simple and consists of only two symbols: 1 and 0 (presence or absence of the signal, true or false). This set is enough to logically describe anything. The third condition, which refers to the silence of the computer (the termination of signaling) is a myth.

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By Itself, the letter does not carry any value from the point of view of information: looking at a one or a zero, it is impossible to understand even what kind of data this value relates. The pictures, texts, and programs ultimately made up of ones and zeros. So a bit inconvenient as a stand alone unit. Therefore, the bits must be combined in order to encode with their help, useful information.

bits per byte

What is a byte?

If the bit is a letter, then the byte represents the kind words. One byte can contain a text character, an integer, part of a large number, two small numbers, etc. Thus, in the byte already contains meaningful information, though in small amount.

Starting programmer and just curious users wondering how many bits in 1 byte. In modern computers, one byte is always eight bits.

If bits is able to take only two values, the combination of eight bits is able to create 256 different combinations. The number 256 is formed by the construction of the deuces in the eighth degree (according to how many bits in a byte).

One bit is 1 or 0. Two bits can already create combinations: 00, 01, 10 and 11. When it comes to 8 bit combinations of zeros and ones in the range 00000000 ... 11111111 think of it as 256. If to remember, how many values can take and how many bits is contained in one byte, then store this number will be very easy.

Each combination of symbols can carry different information depending on the encoding (ASCII, Unicode, etc.). Therefore, users are faced with the fact that you have entered in the Russian language information sometimes appears in the form of intricate symbols.

how many bits in byte 1

Binary number system

The Binary system has all the same properties as familiar to us decimal: numbers consisting of ones and zeros, it is possible to add, subtract, multiply etc. the only Difference is, that system consists not of 10, but only 2 digits. That is why it is convenient to use to encrypt information.

In any positional number system numbers consist of the digits: units, tens, hundreds, etc. In the decimal system the maximum value of one digit equal to 9 and the binary system - 1. Since a single digit can take only two values, binary numbers quickly increase in length. For example, we are used to the number 9 will be written as 1001. This means that nine will be written four characters, with one binary symbol will correspond to one bit.

Why information is encoded in binary form?

The Decimal system is convenient for input and output, and binary for the process of its transformation. Also very popular systems which contain eight and sixteen characters: they convert machine code in a convenient form.

The Binary system is the most convenient from the point of view of logic. Unit conventionally means "Yes": there is a signal, true statement, etc. the Zero associated with the value "no": the value is false, no signal, etc. Any open issue can be converted to one or more questions with answers "Yes" or "no". The third option, for example, the "unknown" will be absolutely useless.

In the course of development of computer technologies were developed and a three-digit capacity for storing information,called tweet. They can take three values: 0 - container is empty, 1 half full capacity and 2 - full capacity. However, the binary system was more simple and logical, therefore, has received much more popularity.

How many bits in a byte was before?

Previously it was impossible to say for sure how many bits in a byte. Originally under the bytes understood the word, that is, the number of bits that a computer can process in one working cycle (Takt). When the computer still would not fit in the offices, different microprocessors have worked with bytes of different sizes. Bytes could include 6 bits, and the first models of IBM its size reaches 9 bits.

Today, the 8-bit bytes have become so familiar that even in the definition of a byte is often said that a unit of information consisting of 8 bits. However, in some architectures, the byte is 32 bits and acts as a machine word. Such architectures are used in some supercomputers and signal processors, but not on usual computers, laptops and mobile phones.

Why won eight-bit standard?

how many bits is contained in one byte

The Bytes acquired eight size thanks to the IBM PC platform with the most popular at the time 8-bit Intel 8086. The prevalence of this model contributed to the fact that in the 1970's 8 bits in a byte has actually become the default value.

Eight standard convenient because it allows you to store 1 byte of the two symbols of the decimal system. With 6-bit system can store a single digit, while 2 bits are redundant. At 9 bits, you can record 2 digits, but is still one extra bit. The number 8 is the third power of two, providing additional comfort.

The use of bits and bytes

Many users are wondering: how to not confuse bits and bytes? First and foremost, you need to pay attention to how written symbol: the abbreviation of bytes written in the form of a large letter "B" (in English - "B"). Respectively, to denote the bit is small letter "b" ("b").

However, there is always a chance that the register selected is incorrect (for example, some programs automatically translate all the text in lower or upper case). In this case, you should know that generally measured in bits, and that - in bytes.

bits and bytes

Traditionally, the bytes measure the volume of: size of hard drive, pendrive or any other media will be specified in bytes, and the integrated units, for example, gigabytes.

Bits are used for speed measurement. The amount of information which flow channel, the Internet speed etc. are measured in bits and derived units such as megabits. The download speed is also always displayed in bits.

Optionally, you translate bits into bytes or Vice versa. It is enough to recall how many bits in a byte, and make a simple mathematical calculation. The bits are converted to bytes by dividing by eight, the reverse translation is performed by means of multiplying by the same number.

What word?

what is byte

Word is, the information recorded in the memory cell. It represents the maximum sequence of pieces of information, which is processed as a unit.

The Length of the word corresponds to bit processor, which for long time was equal to 16 bits. In most modern computers, it is 64-bit, although there are shorter (32 bits) or more long words. The number of bits forming a word, is always a multiple of eight and can be easily translated into bytes.

For a particular computer word length is unchanged and refers to a number of the most important characteristics of "hardware".


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Alin Trodden - author of the article, editor
"Hi, I'm Alin Trodden. I write texts, read books, and look for impressions. And I'm not bad at telling you about it. I am always happy to participate in interesting projects."

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