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Computer Memory Reference: B

bit Also known as: b	A bit is the smallest unit of computer memory. It is capable of storing only one of two unique values, usually considered 1 and 0. This 1 and 0 can represent numbers, true and false, on and off, full and empty, known and unknown, or anything else needed for the system. Modern computer hard drives contain more than 1 trillion bits.
Byte Also known as: B	A byte is often used as the basic unit of memory on a computer. In a plain text file, 1 byte stores exactly one character. Thus, the word “donut” requires 5 bytes of storage. A byte consists of 8 bits. Each bit can only store a 1 or a 0. A byte can store exactly one of 256 unique values, often used to represent the numbers from 0 to 255 or from -128 to 127.