Bit (b)
The bit, symbol b, is the fundamental unit of digital information. Short for binary digit, it was introduced in 1948 by Claude Shannon in his work on information theory. A bit represents either 0 or 1, forming the basis of modern computing and digital communication. Bits measure data transfer, storage efficiency, and computational processes. Individually small, billions of bits combine to store files, images, and programs, making the bit essential in the digital era.
Byte (B)
A byte, represented by the symbol B, is made up of 8 bits and serves as a standard unit for digital information. The idea of the byte was established in the 1950s when early computers needed a consistent way to group bits to encode characters like letters and numbers. As the fundamental element for organizing and storing digital data, bytes are used in everything from documents to multimedia files. Today, the byte is the universal reference point for measuring memory, storage capacities, and file sizes, forming the foundation for all larger digital units.