What is a “bit” in computer terminology?
a) The smallest unit of data in a computer
b) A type of programming language
c) A computer network
d) A software tool
Answer:
a) The smallest unit of data in a computer
Explanation:
A bit, short for “binary digit,” is the smallest unit of data in a computer. It can have a value of either 0 or 1, representing the two possible states in a binary system, which is the foundation of all computing operations.
Bits are combined into larger units such as bytes (8 bits), kilobytes, megabytes, and so on. These larger units represent more complex data, such as text, images, and video files.
Bits are crucial to the functioning of computers, as all data—whether it’s numbers, text, or media—is ultimately broken down into bits that the computer’s processor can handle and manipulate.