Standard Abbreviation for Bits and Bytes

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Archived from groups: microsoft.public.windowsxp.help_and_support (More info?)

Since there are 8 bits to a byte there can be a major misunderstanding with
abbreviations. Are there standard abbreviations for bits and bytes? I always
assumed bits was small b and bytes was capital B. Is this true? 100 MB -
mega bytes. 100 mb - mega bits.

Is a 56k modem 56k bytes or bits per second?

Can I assume everything is bytes unless bits is specifically stated?

--
Dennis

 

[Guest]

Archived from groups: microsoft.public.windowsxp.help_and_support (More info?)

In article <u5rHNFWxFHA.3772@TK2MSFTNGP11.phx.gbl>, denmarks@yahoo.com
says...
> Since there are 8 bits to a byte there can be a major misunderstanding with
> abbreviations. Are there standard abbreviations for bits and bytes? I always
> assumed bits was small b and bytes was capital B. Is this true? 100 MB -
> mega bytes. 100 mb - mega bits.
>
> Is a 56k modem 56k bytes or bits per second?
>
> Can I assume everything is bytes unless bits is specifically stated?

Generally speaking, B = Bytes, b = bits. Modems are rated in bits/sec.

And so you know, a Byte can be 8, 16, 32 bits depending on the platform.
A bit is always a single element.

You also have K/k which can mean 1024 like normal computer terms, or
1000 if you talk about hard drives.

Then you have tape drives rated for 24GB, which is actually a 12GB
drive/capacity, but long ago the marketing types decided to consider 2:1
compression as the norm and they started doubling the size of their tape
drives.

Then you've got the NAT device vendors that now call their routers
"Firewalls" when they are nothing of the sort, but no-one's take them to
task for it.

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