Kibibyte (KiB)
The kibibyte, symbol KiB, is a binary unit equal to 1,024 bytes, introduced by the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) in 1998. The unit addresses the difference between metric kilobytes (1,000 bytes) and binary kilobytes (1,024 bytes) in digital systems. Kibibytes are used in operating systems, file systems, and technical documentation for precise, unambiguous measurement. This clarity supports accurate handling of digital memory and storage.
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.