Difference between revisions of "Bit"
Karl Jones (Talk | contribs) (First) |
Karl Jones (Talk | contribs) (etc) |
||
| Line 5: | Line 5: | ||
These values are most commonly represented as either 0 or 1. | These values are most commonly represented as either 0 or 1. | ||
| − | The term ''bit'' is a portmanteau of ''binary digit''. | + | The term ''bit'' is a portmanteau of ''binary digit'' (see [[Binary]]). |
The two values can also be interpreted as logical values (true/false, yes/no), algebraic signs (+/−), activation states (on/off), or any other two-valued attribute. | The two values can also be interpreted as logical values (true/false, yes/no), algebraic signs (+/−), activation states (on/off), or any other two-valued attribute. | ||
| Line 14: | Line 14: | ||
In [[information theory]], one bit is typically defined as the uncertainty of a binary random variable that is 0 or 1 with equal probability, or the information that is gained when the value of such a variable becomes known. | In [[information theory]], one bit is typically defined as the uncertainty of a binary random variable that is 0 or 1 with equal probability, or the information that is gained when the value of such a variable becomes known. | ||
| + | |||
| + | == See also == | ||
| + | |||
| + | * [[Binary]] | ||
| + | * [[Information]] | ||
== External links == | == External links == | ||
* [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bit Bit] @ Wikipedia | * [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bit Bit] @ Wikipedia | ||
Revision as of 06:13, 23 August 2015
A bit is the basic unit of information in computing and digital communications.
A bit can have only one of two values, and may therefore be physically implemented with a two-state device.
These values are most commonly represented as either 0 or 1.
The term bit is a portmanteau of binary digit (see Binary).
The two values can also be interpreted as logical values (true/false, yes/no), algebraic signs (+/−), activation states (on/off), or any other two-valued attribute.
The correspondence between these values and the physical states of the underlying storage or device is a matter of convention, and different assignments may be used even within the same device or program.
The length of a binary number may be referred to as its bit-length.
In information theory, one bit is typically defined as the uncertainty of a binary random variable that is 0 or 1 with equal probability, or the information that is gained when the value of such a variable becomes known.
See also
External links
- Bit @ Wikipedia
