Computers use binary code to store or transmit data. It is a very simple language. Binary code is very absolute, there is no in-between.
- yes or no
- on or off
- light or no light
- reflection or no reflection
- magnetic flux or no magnetic flux
- voltage or no voltage
- one or zero
Each piece of the binary code is a bit (a contraction of the phrase, “binary digit”). The bits are usually grouped in eights for organizational purposes, also called bytes (a contraction of the phrase, “by eight”). On a side note, a group of four bits is called a nibble, which is a small byte (ha! Get it?!)
Bits (abbreviated with a lowercase b) are usually used when referring to transmission speeds or compression rates.
- 128kb/s mp3 file
- 9.8Mb/s video stream
Bytes (abbreviated with an uppercase B) are usually used when referring to file size or drive space.
- 8 GB RAM
- 1 TB HDD
Abbreviations:
| Bit | b | 1 bit | |
| Kilobit | kb | 1024 bits | |
| Megabit | mb | 10242 bits | 1024 kilobits |
| Gigabit | Gb | 10243 bits | 1024 megabits |
| Terabit | Tb | 10244 bits | 1024 gigabits |
Bits typically use the binary prefix (210 = 1024) for kilo-, mega-, etc.
| Byte | B | 1 byte | |
| Kilobyte | kB | 1 thousand bytes | |
| Megabyte | MB | 1 million bytes | 1 thousand kilobytes |
| Gigabyte | GB | 1 billion bytes | 1 thousand megabytes |
| Terabyte | TB | 1 trillion bytes | 1 thousand gigabytes |
Bytes typically use the Internation System of Units (SI) prefix for kilo-, mega-, etc.
