das Bit
bit
The smallest unit of digital information in computer science and data processing, which can take on one of two states, usually 0 or 1.
EXAMPLE
Acht Bits ergeben ein Byte.
Eight bits make one byte.
das Bit
bit
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Meanings
Usage tips
Word structure
The word 'Bit' is an abbreviation from English and stands for 'binary digit' ('Binärziffer' in German). So it literally describes a digit that can take on only two values.
EXAMPLE
Ein Computer verarbeitet Informationen in Form von Millionen von Bits.
A computer processes information in the form of millions of bits.
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Although 'Bit' is a technical term from computer science, it is now also used in everyday language when talking about computers, internet speeds, or data storage.
EXAMPLE
Meine Internetverbindung hat 50 Megabit pro Sekunde.
My internet connection has 50 megabits per second.
Typical collocations
'Bit' is often used in combination with numbers that are powers of two, such as 8, 16, 32, or 64. The most important unit is the byte, which consists of eight bits.
EXAMPLE
Moderne Prozessoren arbeiten mit einer 64-Bit-Architektur.
Modern processors work with a 64-bit architecture.
Compare with
Bit vs Byte
byte
Bit and Byte refer to digital information, but not to the same amount. A bit represents a single piece of information with two possible states; a byte is a larger data unit and usually consists of eight bits. „Bit“ fits individual states, while „Byte“ is generally used for the amount of data.
Bit
Für diesen einzelnen digitalen Zustand wird genau ein Bit gespeichert.
Exactly one bit is stored for this single digital state.
Byte
Für diesen Buchstaben wird auf dem Computer meist ein Byte gespeichert.
A byte is usually stored on the computer for this letter.
In real life
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