Bits & Bytes
Bit: A bit is the smallest unit of computer information. A bit can either be:
0 or 1
Byte: A byte is made of 8 bits. Each bit can either be a 0 or 1.
Here's an example of what one byte might look like:
ASCII Text: (Pronounced "askie") ASCII text
uses only 7 bits to create the letters of the alphabet
(both upper and lower-case) and the various symbols you see on a keyboard.
Example: 0 0 0 1 0 0 0
Each bit could be either a 0 or 1, this example just happens to
use the combination shown
Using 7 bits, each of which can either be a 0 or 1 (2 different combinations per bit), how many
different combinations can there be?
THE ANSWER IS 128 different combinations, or 128 different letters and symbols can be used on a
keyboard. (This is called the ASCII character set)
Extended Character Set: The ideas here is simple. ASCII text uses only 7 bits to code its 128
characters. There's an 8th bit of the byte that is unused. The extra bit allows another 128 characters
to be created before the byte is used up. This 256 character set is called the "Extended Character
Set."
UP to the "Multimedia on the Internet" Class Home Page
For more information about this Web Site contact sanderso@cc.usu.edu
(Dr. Steve Anderson at Utah State University).