2. Storage Capacity
Data can be stored either in the 'internal memory' or on a 'storage device'.
The amount of data and instructions that can be stored is measured in 'bytes'.
One byte contains 8 bits (short for Binary Digit). This is the smallest unit of data that can be stored. Each 'bit' is represented as a binary number, either 1 or 0.
A single keyboard character such as the letter A or T takes one byte of storage. A single mp3 music track is typically 3Mb
We normally refer to the capacity of a storage device in terms of Kilobytes (kB), Megabytes (MB), Gigabytes (GB) - or even Terabytes!
| Design Name | Author |
|---|---|
| Bit | Smallest unit of data, either a 0 or 1 |
| Byte | 8 bits |
| Kilobyte (kB) | Assumed to be 1,000 bytes. In reality it is really 1,024 bytes |
| Megabyte (MB) | 1,000 kilobytes (1,024 Kb) |
| Gigabyte (GB) | 1,000 Megabytes (1,024 Mb) |
| Terabyte (TB) | 1,000 Gigabytes (1,024 Gb) |