Kilobyte (KB)
The kilobyte, symbolized as KB, represents 1,000 bytes in the decimal system (SI), although in computing, it is commonly approximated as 1,024 bytes. The unit emerged in the 1960s as computer memory and storage expanded and was used for measuring small file sizes, such as text documents and early software. The kilobyte reflects the practical intersection of metric and binary measurements, which led to the introduction of binary-specific units, such as the kibibyte. Kilobytes are still used in some legacy systems and file specifications.
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.