Bit (binary digit)
A bit (short for binary digit) is the smallest unit of data in a computer. A bit has a single binary value, either 0 or 1
Uses of Bits
Although they’re sometimes written in decimal or byte form, network addresses like IP addresses and MAC addresses are ultimately represented as bits in network communications.
The color depth in display graphics is often measured in terms of bits. For example, monochrome images are one-bit images, while 8-bit images can represent 256 colors or gradients in grayscale. True color graphics are presented in 24-bit, 32-bit, and higher graphics.
Special digital numbers called keys are often used to encrypt data on computer networks. The length of these keys is expressed in terms of the number of bits. The greater the number of bits, the more effective that key is in protecting data. In wireless network security, for example, 40-bit WEP keys are relatively insecure, but 128-bit or larger WEP keys are much more effective.
Tabular Representation of various Memory Sizes
NAME | EQUAL TO | SIZE(IN BYTES) |
Bit | 1 bit | 1/8 |
Nibble | 4 bits | 1/2 (rare) |
Byte | 8 bits | 1 |
Kilobyte | 1024 bytes | 1024 |
Megabyte | 1, 024kilobytes | 1, 048, 576 |
Gigabyte | 1, 024 megabytes | 1, 073, 741, 824 |
Terrabyte | 1, 024 gigabytes | 1, 099, 511, 627, 776 |
Petabyte | 1, 024 terrabytes | 1, 125, 899, 906, 842, 624 |
Exabyte | 1, 024 petabytes | 1, 152, 921, 504, 606, 846, 976 |
Zettabyte | 1, 024 exabytes | 1, 180, 591, 620, 717, 411, 303, 424 |
Yottabyte | 1, 024 zettabytes | 1, 208, 925, 819, 614, 629, 174, 706, 176 |