Nibble: Difference between revisions
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Also "hexit". |
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In [[computing]], a '''nibble''' (or less commonly, '''nybble''') is 4 [[bit]]s, or half an [[octet]] (an 8-[[bit]] [[byte]]). Being four bits, there are sixteen (2<sup>4</sup>) possible values, so a nibble corresponds to a single [[hexadecimal]] digit (thus, it is often referred to as a "[[hex digit]]"). A full byte is represented by two hexadecimal digits; therefore, it is common to display a byte of information as two nibbles. |
In [[computing]], a '''nibble''' (or less commonly, '''nybble''') is 4 [[bit]]s, or half an [[octet]] (an 8-[[bit]] [[byte]]). Being four bits, there are sixteen (2<sup>4</sup>) possible values, so a nibble corresponds to a single [[hexadecimal]] digit (thus, it is often referred to as a "[[hex digit]]" or "hexit"). A full byte is represented by two hexadecimal digits; therefore, it is common to display a byte of information as two nibbles. |
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The term ''nibble'' originates from the fact that the term ''byte'' is a [[pun]] on the [[English (language)|English]] word ''bite''. A nibble is a small bite, or half a bite. The ''nybble'' spelling parallels the spelling of ''byte''. |
The term ''nibble'' originates from the fact that the term ''byte'' is a [[pun]] on the [[English (language)|English]] word ''bite''. A nibble is a small bite, or half a bite. The ''nybble'' spelling parallels the spelling of ''byte''. |
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Revision as of 01:37, 5 May 2005
In computing, a nibble (or less commonly, nybble) is 4 bits, or half an octet (an 8-bit byte). Being four bits, there are sixteen (24) possible values, so a nibble corresponds to a single hexadecimal digit (thus, it is often referred to as a "hex digit" or "hexit"). A full byte is represented by two hexadecimal digits; therefore, it is common to display a byte of information as two nibbles.
The term nibble originates from the fact that the term byte is a pun on the English word bite. A nibble is a small bite, or half a bite. The nybble spelling parallels the spelling of byte.
See also
Nibbles is the name of a video game that is present on many modern mobile phones.