On Monday 15 January 2007 17:50, John E. Perry wrote:
Joachim Schrod wrote:
Hans Witvliet wrote:
And btw, "B" is for bytes (octets) and "b" for bits The term "Byte" comes from by-eight.
Do your have any reference for that?
A byte is the basic addressing unit of memory, that's all.
Well, my instructors in the early '70's told me that a byte was analogous to "bite" -- not the smallest "bit" accessible, but smaller than the full-size "word" of most architectures of the time. And some architectures do allow you direct access to a bit.
bit: smallest piece bite or byte: manageable chunk to chew on steak or word: full-size portion
(the culinary examples are my own)
--
John Perry
bit - individual binary number 1 or 0 byte - 8 bits word - depends on the processor 16, 32 or 64 bits Mike -- To unsubscribe, e-mail: opensuse+unsubscribe@opensuse.org For additional commands, e-mail: opensuse+help@opensuse.org