Why does a byte have 8 bits, and not, for example, 4 or 6?
In the article, the author explores the reasons why the byte has been standardized to 8 bits in the computing world. It describes how this decision has become the norm and examines various factors that could have influenced this standardization. The article draws comparisons with other systems that utilized fewer or more bits during their operations, discussing the impact of these decisions on technological advancement. Examples from the past, including the early computers with varying byte sizes, are presented to illustrate the evolution of this concept. Furthermore, the author contemplates the future of systems and whether we might see changes regarding the standardization of byte sizes in the years to come. Ultimately, the article summarizes how our perception of bytes has developed through history and its significance for programmers and engineers alike, emphasizing the foundational role that 8-bit bytes play in computer architecture and programming.