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Byte
Sufficient computer memory to store a single character of data, such as a letter of the alphabet. The character is stored in the byte of memory as a pattern of bits (binary digits), using a code such as ASCII. A byte usually contains eight bits – for example, the capital letter F can be stored as the bit pattern 01000110.
A single byte can specify 256 values, such as the decimal numbers from 0 to 255; in the case of a single-byte pixel (picture element), it can specify 256 different colours. Three bytes (24 bits) can specify 16,777,216 values. Computer memory size is measured in kilobytes (1,024 bytes), megabytes (1,024 kilobytes), or gigabytes (1,024 megabytes).
© Research Machines plc 2008. All rights reserved. Helicon Publishing is a division of Research Machines plc.
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backing storage
bit
byte
cache memory
CD-R
CD-ROM
CD-RW
compact disc
digital audio tape
digital versatile disk
disk (computing)
disk drive
DVD
EEPROM
floppy disk
gigabyte
hard disk
immediate access memory
kilobyte
magnetic tape
megabyte
memory (computing)
MiniDisc
optical disk
RAM
register (computing)
ROM
terabyte
Zip drive
bit
byte
cache memory
CD-R
CD-ROM
CD-RW
compact disc
digital audio tape
digital versatile disk
disk (computing)
disk drive
DVD
EEPROM
floppy disk
gigabyte
hard disk
immediate access memory
kilobyte
magnetic tape
megabyte
memory (computing)
MiniDisc
optical disk
RAM
register (computing)
ROM
terabyte
Zip drive
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