What is a 'byte'?

A byte is a fundamental unit of digital information that consists of 8 bits. This standard measurement is crucial in computing and digital communications because it allows computers to represent a wide range of data. Each bit, which can be either a 0 or a 1, contributes to the overall value of the byte, enabling the representation of 256 different values (from 0 to 255). Bytes are used to encode characters, such as letters and symbols, in systems like ASCII, making them essential for text processing and storage.

Understanding that a byte is made up of 8 bits highlights its importance in data storage, transmission, and processing, as it serves as a basic building block for larger data structures, such as kilobytes, megabytes, and beyond. The other options do not accurately describe what a byte is, focusing instead on unrelated concepts or incorrect definitions.