Bits & Bytes
You already used binary switches to build numbers. Now give those pieces names: one switch is a bit; eight bits together make a byte.
OFF → 0
// start with one
A bit is one on/off choice.
Bit is short for binary digit. It only has two possible states. Think of it like a tiny switch: off or on.
0 = off
1 = on
bit = one binary digit
You already know how to use bits.
These are the same bulbs from Binary Numbers. The new idea is that each bulb is one bit — and the whole row is one byte.
// eight bits together
Build one byte.
Click the bulbs exactly like before. This time, notice the group.
8 BITS = 1 BYTE
Binary 00000000
Decimal 0
Bits 8
Bytes 1
More bits = more possible patterns.
The computer still only has 0 and 1. Grouping more bits gives it more possible combinations.
8 bits grouped together = 1 byte.
Bit or byte?
Quick check before you move on.
How many bits are in one byte?
0 correct · 0 answered