Understanding the Difference Between a Byte and a Kilo: 2^8 vs 2^10

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The discussion centers on the definition of kilobyte (kbyte) as 2^10 (1024 bytes) instead of the metric definition of kilo as 1000. This discrepancy arises because binary systems in computing favor powers of 2 for efficiency and representation. Consequently, terms like "megabyte" (2^20), "gigabyte" (2^30), and "terabyte" (2^40) follow the same pattern. To address this confusion, the International Electrotechnical Commission introduced binary prefixes such as "kibibyte" to denote 1024 bytes, but these terms have not gained widespread acceptance. The conversation highlights the ongoing debate between binary and decimal interpretations in computing terminology.
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why kbyte=2^10 ??

a byte=2^8

kilo=1000

2^8 * 1000 differs 2^10

??
 
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Someone decided that for binary based computer usage, it would be better to state everything values close to powers of 2. Since 2^10 is 1024, and close to 1000, it became "kilo". Similarly 2^20 is "mega", 2^30 is "giga", and 2^40 is "tera".
 


ok 1024 combinations is kbit
not

kbyte
 


The International Electrotechnical Commission has tried to resolve this confusion by defining a new set of binary-based prefixes, e.g. 1 kibibyte = 1024 bytes.

See this Wikipedia article for more details.

Personally, I think "kibibyte" sounds like a brand of dog food. :rolleyes:
 


jtbell said:
The International Electrotechnical Commission has tried to resolve this confusion by defining a new set of binary-based prefixes

which have been almost universally ignored.
 
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