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What is the name for a group of eight bits?

  1. Byte

  2. Bit

  3. Word

  4. Nibble

The correct answer is: Byte

A group of eight bits is referred to as a byte. This term is fundamental in computer science and telecommunications, as it represents the basic unit of data storage and processing in computers. A byte can hold a single character of data, such as a letter or a numeral, and it serves as the building block for larger data structures. Understanding bytes is crucial for anyone involved in data transmission and network communications, especially in contexts dealing with fiber optics and digital signals. The other terms mentioned relate to data, but they denote different quantities. A bit is the smallest unit of data that can represent a binary value of either 0 or 1. A word typically refers to a unit of data that is larger than a byte, often determined by the computer architecture (commonly 16, 32, or 64 bits). A nibble is half of a byte, consisting of four bits. Therefore, in the context of digital communication and data representation, a byte specifically denotes a group of eight bits.