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Article #75019Re: Byte != 8 bits (was Re: "Open System" Redefined in OSI Specification)
From: John G Dobnick
Date: Mon, 26 Nov 1990 00:14
Date: Mon, 26 Nov 1990 00:14
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1776 bytes
From article <61044@bbn.BBN.COM>, by cosell@bbn.com (Bernie Cosell): > barmar@think.com (Barry Margolin) writes: > > }In article <HARKCOM.90Nov21080149@potato.pa.Yokogawa.Co.jp> harkcom@potato.pa.Yokogawa.Co.jp (Alton Harkcom) writes: > }> I never understood what the confusion was though. Are there systems > }>which uses 16 bits/byte? > > }A byte is generally a contiguous group of bits that may be operated on as a > }unit. > > BBN manufactures a processor that has twenty-bit words divided into two > ten-bit bytes. ... And Unisys (nee Sperry, nee Univac) has its 1100/2200 series systems that not only have 9-bit "bytes" (4 per 36 bit word), but are also ones-complement! That _really_ makes portability "interesting". [What? You mean 0Xff _isn't_ -1?] -- John G Dobnick (JGD2) Computing Services Division @ University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee INTERNET: jgd@csd4.csd.uwm.edu ATTnet: (414) 229-5727 UUCP: uunet!uwm!csd4.csd.uwm.edu!jgd "Knowing how things work is the basis for appreciation, and is thus a source of civilized delight." -- William Safire
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X-Google-Language: ENGLISH,ASCII-7-bit X-Google-Thread: 1025b4,c0b93fb4f7d1c8eb X-Google-Attributes: gid1025b4,public X-Google-ArrivalTime: 1990-11-26 13:12:49 PST Path: arc1-ca.pugleaf.net!gmdzi!unido!mcsun!uunet!zaphod.mps.ohio-state.edu!uwm.edu!convex.csd.uwm.edu!jgd From: jgd@convex.csd.uwm.edu (John G Dobnick) Newsgroups: gnu.misc.discuss Subject: Re: Byte != 8 bits (was Re: "Open System" Redefined in OSI Specification) Message-ID: <7868@uwm.edu> Date: 26 Nov 90 00:14:52 GMT References: <61044@bbn.BBN.COM> Sender: news@uwm.edu Reply-To: jgd@convex.csd.uwm.edu Distribution: gnu Lines: 26 Posted: Mon Nov 26 01:14:52 1990 Originator: jgd@convex.csd.uwm.edu