Relay-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site utzoo.UUCP Path: utzoo!mnetor!uunet!seismo!ut-sally!husc6!rutgers!labrea!decwrl!nsc!nsta!amos From: amos@nsta.UUCP (Amos Shapir) Newsgroups: comp.unix.wizards Subject: Size of "Byte" Message-ID: <315@nsta.UUCP> Date: Mon, 20-Jul-87 10:32:43 EDT Article-I.D.: nsta.315 Posted: Mon Jul 20 10:32:43 1987 Date-Received: Tue, 21-Jul-87 05:55:03 EDT References: <2792@phri.UUCP> <142700011@tiger.UUCP> Reply-To: amos%nsta@nsc.com (Amos Shapir) Distribution: world Organization: National Semiconductor (Israel) Ltd. Home of the 32532 Lines: 15 Hdate: 23 Tamuz 5747 In article <142700011@tiger.UUCP> rjd@tiger.UUCP writes: > I HAVE AN IDEA!!! Lets look it up........ (turning pages on my Webster's): > >byte - n. [arbitrary formation, < BITE ] a string of binary digits, usually > eight, operated on as a basic unit by a digital computer. Keep reading! (at least in the edition I have): ... The term was formed by a shortened pronounciation of the words 'by eight'... So 8-bit bytes are more 'natural' somehow. -- Amos Shapir (My other cpu is a NS32532) National Semiconductor (Israel) 6 Maskit st. P.O.B. 3007, Herzlia 46104, Israel Tel. (972)52-522261 amos%nsta@nsc.com @{hplabs,pyramid,sun,decwrl} 34 48 E / 32 10 N