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Understanding Bits and Bytes

Covers topics of business analytics

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20 views

Understanding Bits and Bytes

Covers topics of business analytics

Uploaded by

khaitalapurampallavi
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PPTX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Understanding

Bits and Bytes


Bit (Binary Digit)
• A bit (binary digit) is the smallest unit of data that a computer can process
and store.
• A bit is always in one of two physical states, similar to an on/off light
switch.
• The state is represented by a single binary value, usually a 0 or 1.
• The state might also be represented by yes/no, on/off or true/false.
• Bits are stored in memory through the use of capacitors that hold electrical
charges. The charge determines the state of each bit, which, in turn,
determines the bit's value.
Bit (Binary Digit)
• Although a computer might be able to test and manipulate data at
the bit level, most systems process and store data in bytes. A byte is a
sequence of eight bits that are treated as a single unit.

References to a computer's memory and storage are always in terms of


bytes. For example, a storage device might be able to store 1 terabyte
(TB) of data, which is equal to 1,000,000 megabytes (MB).
1 MB equals 1 million bytes, or 8 million bits. That means a 1 TB drive
can store 8 trillion bits of data.
Byte
What is a byte?
• In most computer systems, a byte is a unit of data that is eight binary digits long.
A byte is the unit most computers use to represent a character such as a letter,
number or typographic symbol.
• Each byte can hold a string of bits that need to be used in a larger unit for
application purposes. As an example, a stream of bits can constitute a visual
image for a program that displays images. Another example is a string of bits that
constitute the machine code of a computer program.
• Byte is abbreviated with an uppercase B.
Byte
How many bits in a byte?

• bit is represented by a lowercase b.

• While a byte can hold a letter or symbol, a bit is the smallest unit of storage,
storing just one binary digit.

• The standard number of bits in a byte is eight, but that number can vary from
system to system, depending on the hardware.

• A nibble, or quadbit, refers to four bits, or half of a standard byte.

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