Short for binary digit, the smallest unit of information on a machine. The term was first used in 1946 by John Tukey, a leading statistician and adviser to five presidents. A single bit can hold only one of two values: 0 or 1. More meaningful information is obtained by combining consecutive bits into larger units. For example, a byte is composed of 8 consecutive bits.
Computers are sometimes classified by the number of bits they can process at one time or by the number of bits they use to represent addresses. These two values are not always the same, which leads to confusion. For example, classifying a computer as a 32-bit machine might mean that its dataregisters are 32 bits wide or that it uses 32 bits to identify each address in memory. Whereas larger registers make a computer faster, using more bits for addresses enables a machine to support larger programs.
Graphics are also often described by the number of bits used to represent each dot. A 1-bit image is monochrome; an 8-bit image supports 256 colors or grayscales; and a 24- or 32-bit graphic supports true color.
Data Representation This is Chapter 1 of Randall Hyde's book, "Art of Assembly Language." It describes the binary and hexadecimal numbering systems, binary data organization (bits, nibbles, bytes, words, and double words), signed and unsigned numbering systems, arithmetic, logical, shift, and rotate operations on binary values, bit fields and packed data, and the ASCII character set.
eBay
59.991 3/4" Marble Granite Stone Diamond Core Drill Bit We sell the highest quality diamond tools available. We have many years of experience in the floori...
Tyler Tool
106.99The Freud 99-037 Finger Joint Router Bit has a 1-3/8" Overall Diameter with a carbide height of 1-9/16", cut depth of 5/16", minor height of 21/64" an...
Shoplet.com
6.85Pilot Pen 57 200, 1/4 Shank Chamfer Router Bit With 3/16 Diameter Brass Pilot Guide, 22.5° Cutting Angle. Classic Deluxe Mechanical Pencil
Northern Tool
39.99SpeedPoint tip geometry penetrates stainless steel 6 times faster than before. Single-flute design minimizes vibration and controls progression throug...
