|
|
Byte
A byte is commonly used as a unit of storage measurement in computers. It is
one of the basic integral data types in computing. The byte is often used to
specify the size or amount of computer memory or storage, regardless of the
type of data stored in it. Such numbers can get very large, which lead to
the use of prefixes.
A byte has several meanings, all closely related:
1. A contiguous sequence of a fixed number of bits. On modern computers,
an 8-bit byte is by far the most common. Certain older models have used
6-, 7-, or 9-bit bytes -- for instance on the 36-bit architecture of
the PDP-10. A byte is always atomic on the system, meaning that it is
the smallest addressable unit. An 8-bit byte can hold 256 possible
values (28 = 256) -- enough to store an unsigned integer ranging from 0
to 255, a signed integer from -128 to 127, or an extended ASCII
character.
2. A contiguous sequence of bits that comprises a sub-field of a longer
sequence known as a word. On some computers it is possible to address
bytes of arbitrary length. This usage is reflected, for example, in LDB
and DPB assembler instructions for field extraction on a PDP-10, which
survive as bytewise operations in Common Lisp; and in the six-bit bytes
of the IBM 1401.
3. A datatype in certain programming languages. C for example defines byte
to be synonymous with unsigned char -- an integer datatype capable of
holding at least 256 different values.
The term "byte" was coined by Werner Buchholz in 1956 during the early
design phase for the IBM Stretch computer. Originally it was described as 1
to 6 bits; typical I/O equipment of the period used 6-bit units. The move to
an 8-bit byte happened in late 1956, and this size was later adopted and
promulgated as a standard by the System/360. The word was coined by mutating
the word "bite" so it would not be accidentally misspelled as bit.
The 8-bit byte is often called an octet in formal contexts such as industry
standards, as well as in networking. This is also the word used for the
8-bit quantity in many non-English languages, where the pun on "bite" does
not translate.
Half a byte (4 bits) is sometimes called (playfully) a nibble (sometimes
spelled nybble) or more formally a hex digit. The nibble is often called a
semioctet in a networking context and also by some standards organisations.
As a unit of measure, bytes is abbreviated as B; hence MB for megabytes.
Likewise, the lowercase b is used for bits: hence, a 5Mb/s network segment
carries 5 megabits per second, while a 90GB hard drive carries 90 gigabytes.
Computer memory and storage are usually denominated in bytes, while network
speed is denominated in bits, and parallel bus speed in Hertz.
Standards organizations have proposed binary prefixes for the powers of 2
often used as multiples of bytes -- e.g. mebibyte rather than megabyte for
220 bytes -- but these have not caught on in common usage.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Byte was also the name of a popular computer industry magazine, see Byte
magazine.
This content from Wikipedia is licensed under the GNU Free Documentation License.
|
HP PM 1.4GHz 256MB 40GB No CD 12.1'' w/Win XP ProHP PM 1.4GHz 256MB 40GB No CD 12.1'' w/Win XP Pro ** HP Compaq nc4000 Pentium M 1.4 GHz Notebook **This HP Compaq nc4000 notebook is ideal for the busy professional on the go! The nc4000 is ultra small and very lightweight yet packed full of features such as an Intel Pentium M 1.4 GHz processor and 256 MB of RAM. Microsoft Windows XP Professional is pre-installed on the 40 GB hard drive. Accessthe internet via the 10/100/1000NIC or 56K highspeed modem. Stock up today and save with I Sell!General Features:- Microsoft Windows XP Professional Edition pre-installed- Intel Pentium M 1.4 GHz processor- 256 MB RAM (1024 MB (266 MHz) DDR SDRAM max.) - 40 GB hard drive- NO Optical Drive of any kind- ATI Mobility Radeon graphics controller (32 MB RAM)- HP Premier Sound 16 bit sound w/built-in speakers- Integrated 10/100/1000 NIC - Integrated 56K modem with digital line guard - Keyboard w/Touch Pad and Pointing Stick- 12.1-inch TFT XGA display / 1024 x 768 max resolutionExpansion Slots:- One (1) Type II PC Card Slot I/O Ports:- Secure digital (SD) slot - One (1) S-Video out- Two (2) USB ports- One (1) 15-pin VGA port- One (1) RJ-11 modem jack- One (1) RJ-45 ethernet jack- Microphone in, Headphone in- One (1) Infra RedRegulatory Approvals:- FCC- CE- CSA- VCCI- ULUnit Dimensions:- 1 x 11 x 9 (H x W x D)- Weight: 3.8 lbs (approximate)Plain Box Includes:- HP Compaq nc4000 Business Notebook - Microsoft Windows XP Professional pre-installed- Operating System CD- Driver Recovery CD- Getting Started - AC Adapter (100-240V 50-60Hz) w/Power cordNotes:- NO Optical Drive (ie. CD-ROM, DVD-ROM, etc..)- P/N: DG244AR Compatibility/Requirements/Disclosures:** Requirements *** Available power outlet Informational Links:http://h18000.www1.hp.com/products/quickspecs/11606_na/11606_na.HTML More ...
Logitech iTouch Wireless Keyboard and Mouse KitLogitech iTouch Wireless Keyboard and Mouse Kit ** Logitech Wireless Keyboard and Mouse Kit ** This Logitech iTouch wireless keyboard and mouse kit includes a 2-button scroll mouse, 104-key keyboard with 3 hot keys, and the RF receiver that plugs into your PS/2 ports. General Features:- 2 Button Scroll Wheel Mouse- 104 Key Keyboard with 3 Hot Keys- PS/2 Wireless 2-channel RF Receiver (plugs into KB and Mouse Ports)- Six foot rangePackage Includes: - Keyboard- Mouse- RF Receiver Unit (27MHz)- Drivers (On CD)- ManualNotes:- These are overstock kits meant for distribution with a newPC Compatibility/Requirements/Disclosures:** Requirements *** Two 'AA' Batteries for Keyboard* Two 'AAA' Batteries for Mouse* PS/2 Mouse and PS/2 Keyboard Ports * Windows 95/98/ME/NT 4.0/2000/XP More ...
Icon to Image Converter 1.38It allows you to convert all Windows XP icons and cursors into Windows images
Easy Video to Audio Converter 1.6.8Extract audio from all video audio files to MP3, WAV, WMA and OGG formats
120mm Metal Fan Grill (Black)120mm Metal Fan Grill (Black) ** 120 mm Metal Fan Grill **Designed to fit a 120 mm case fan, this metal fan grilloffers protective covering from objects that might get trapped in the fan! This black fan grill can be mounted directly over the fan for easy installation!General Features:- Black metal fan grill- Fits 120 mm case fans- Protective covering from objectsNotes:- Metal Fan Grill only Compatibility/Requirements/Disclosures: ** Requirements *** 120 mm case fan More ...
SanDisk 128MB + 802.11b WiFi CompactFlash CardSanDisk 128MB + 802.11b WiFi CompactFlash Card ** SanDisk Connect Plus 128 MB + 802.11b WiFi CompactFlash Card **This SanDisk Connect Plus combines flash memory and wireless communications into a single card! It features 128 MB memory, 802.11b wireless connectivity, 11 Mbps high speed data transfer rate, and low power consumption. Access the Internet, check email, send and receive from any available access points as well as store data or photos from one device. Order your SanDisk Connect Plus 128 MB + 802.11b WiFi CompactFlash Card today!!General Features:- Stores up to 128 MB of Memory- Compliant to IEEE 802.11b, WiFi certified - 11 Mbps high speed data transfer rate - 2400 - 2483 MHz operating channels- 15 dBm maximum RF output- Powerful and easy to use security feature makes WEP encryption easy- Single slot solution - can be used as memory card orWiFi card to store or move files- Infrastructure, Ad-hoc, roaming network architecture- LED activity indicator- Low power consumption- CompactFlash V1.4, CF+I/O interface, Type I CFA compliant- Includes PC card adapter for laptopsData Rate:- 1 Mbps- 2 Mbps- 5.5 Mbps- 11 Mbps- Auto Fall backCover Range:- 1 Mbps: 1200 feet- 2 Mbps: 800 feet- 5.5 Mbps: 650 feet- 11 Mbps: 450 feetOperating Channels:- Channel 1 - 11 (North America)- Channel 1 - 14 (Europe)- Channel 10 - 13 (France)- Channel 10 - 11 (Spain)- Channel 1 - 14 (Japan)Software Support:- Pocket PC 2002, 2003- Windows 98/ME/2000/XP (XP requires Service Pack 1)Regulatory Approvals:- FCC- CE- MIC- C-TickRetail Blister Pack Includes:- SanDisk Connect Plus 128 MB + 802.11b WiFi CompactFlash Card- PC card adapter- Installation CD (3-inch type) Compatibility/Requirements/Disclosures:** Requirements *** Pocket PC 2002, 2003* Windows 98/ME/2000/XP (XP requires Service Pack 1)* CompactFlash Memory Slot * Available Type II PC card slot* CD-ROM drive* 802.11b access point Informational Links:http://www.sandisk.com/retail/drivers-sdwcfb-128.asp More ...
|
