From HomoExcelsior

1. A single character of a language having just two characters, as either of the binary digits 0 or 1. 2. A unit of information equivalent to the choice of either of two equally likely alternatives. 3. A unit of information storage capacity, as of memory. 4. Short-hand for "binary digit".  5. The smallest

unit of data carrying information.

The term "bit" rose to popularity at the time of binary computers. Future types of computers employing other logic systems such as trinary digits or quantum states also use the term "bit" for the unit carrying the smallest amount of information.

See also: Claude Shannon, quantum bit, binary, trinary

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