Bits+and+Bytes

media type="file" key="Bits and Bytes.mp3"
[|Bits and Bytes.mp3]

===How do Computers Think? Binary code, the fundamental language code that the computer understands is represented by a series of Os and 1s. Why Os and 1s? Computers machines that only understand two states: OFF and ON. The OFF is represented by O; the ON state by 1. Every piece of information entered into a computer has to be digitally encoded as a series of 0s and 1s in order for the computer to understand it. ===

Remember the power supply that is inside your computer and how it sends electricity to all of the components? That electricity is what creates an on signal. The memory chips inside your computer are divided into thousands of tiny compartments called bits. Each bit has an electronic switch or gate. On means the gate is open and letting electricity go through. The computer reads on or open switches as a number 1. Closed gates are off because the electricity is blocked and cannot get through. The computer reads off bits as 0. It is by grouping these bits together to form a series of 1/0 commands, that data is formed. Eight bits are grouped together to form a byte. In this group of eight, there are 256 possible combinations of 1/0. The grouping of 1/0 within a byte is called Binary Code.

Here's an example of the Binary Code in action: When you type the letter A on your keyboard, electrical signals are sent from the keyboard to the CPU. The CPU turns the signals into binary code. Then, the computer reads the code and sends it on to the monitor to display the letter A.

 A Quick Byte: Bits and Bytes Just how much room does it take to store information? It all boils down to bits and bytes.
=== • A bit is the short form for binary digit. A bit is the smallest unit of data a computer can use. A single bit can hold only one of two values: 0 or 1. More complex information can be stored by combining several bits. === === • A byte is the unit of memory needed to store one character such as a letter, number, or punctuation mark. It takes 8 bits to make up 1 byte. === === The amount of memory your computer has is referred to in -kilobytes (KB) or 1000 bytes. One kilobyte is capable of storing 1000 characters. -megabytes (MB) or 1 000 000 bytes. RAM is usually measured in megabytes. -gigabytes (GB) or 1 000 000 000 bytes. Hard drives are usually measured in gigabytes. -terabyte (TB) or 1 000 000 000 000 bytes. Multiple hard drives can be combined to reach this size. An 8 GB hard drive can hold the equivalent of 24 000 000 pages of information. Note: 1 KB is 1024 bytes exactly. However, people usually refer to K in its approximate value of 1000. Just as a kilometer is 1000 metres, a kilobyte has come to be accepted as containing 1000 bytes. ===

1. Can you find out how much RAM and Hard-drive memory is on the PC you're using? Find out how, and write a description of how you would find it.