Units of measurement for the amount of data needed to calculate the amount of information. This value is calculated logarithmically. In other words, several objects can be considered as one. In this case, the number of potential states will be multiplied. And the amount of information will be added.
Typically, data measurement directly relates to computer memory when information is transmitted through digital communication channels.
Computer science: what is it?
Science is exploring methods for collecting, processing, storing, analyzing and transmitting data through digital technology and computer technology. It contains disciplines that can process and calculate algorithms, as well as contribute to the development of new methods for solving various problems and programming.
After holding an international scientific congress in 1978, computer science became a science dependent on the use of computer technology. It is worth noting that a subject such as applied informatics studies number systems, mathematical foundations, and logical elements.
Russian scientist A. A. Dorodnitsyn points out that the region is divided into 3 inextricable parts:
- technical;
- software;
- algorithmic tools.
Information Basis
To determine the capacity of information, the concepts of probability and the logarithm are used. For example, the scientist R. Hartley proposed in 1928 to use the formula:
I = log 2 N,
where, according to his vision, an objective approach is created for measuring the amount of data. It is assumed that this method is able to calculate the likely amount of information in a particular message. In 1948, the knowledge gained was generalized by another American scientist, C. Shannon. He suggested introducing a unit of measurement for data - a bit. In this case, the element that is the basis of the arithmetic device and the memory cell is in one of 2 states: either 0 or 1.
Today, a bit is the basis of a volume unit, but a very small value. Therefore, it is customary to use a byte:
1 byte = 2 3 bits = 8 bits.
It is assumed that this value is necessary to encode any of the 256 characters of the alphabet.
Information can be presented in the form of:
- texts, drawings, images;
- signals and radio waves;
- magnetic records;
- odors and taste;
- pulses of various directions;
- chromosomes that inherit the characteristics of an organism.
Scientists ask the question: is it possible from an objective point of view to measure information? If you think broadly and discard the qualitative features of the data, then they can be expressed in numbers. Moreover, the amount of information contained in different groups can be compared.
Bit and its derivatives
In educational institutions do not present units of volume in full. Only the most used definitions are given: bit, byte, kilobyte, etc. Meanwhile, there is such a thing as nibble. Otherwise, it is called a nibble or tetrad. It contains 4 bits of information.
In general, everything is extremely clear about the units of information. Its volume is usually measured in bits. This is one of the most unconditional quantities. If we consider a picture in which each dot is represented only in black or white, then it is customary to say that this is a bitmap image. The explanation is as follows: each point occupies exactly 1 memory cell, the volume of which is 1 bit.
Byte and its concept
By byte is meant the minimum step for indicating a memory address. On older machines, it was not equal to 8 bits. This tradition has established itself only in the modern world. It is with respect to the byte that large amounts of information used in computer technologies are summed up. All memory locations have an address. Each computer is characterized by a specific word length.
Other units of volume are also widely used. The table shows that today, kilobytes, megabytes, gigabytes, etc. are in use.
To date, the largest unit is considered 1 TB, equal to 1024 GB. If you look on the other hand, then soon this amount of information will become familiar, as consumer demands grow.
Secondary Units
If the primary unit is understood as 1 potential state, then the secondary is understood as a discharge. Its capacity varies depending on the coding system used. In this case, the picture is as follows:
- 1 binary bit - bit - contains only 2 potential states.
- 1 ternary - trit - suggests using 3 possible values.
- 1 decimal - decite - contains 10 potential states, etc.
Tertiary units
This concept includes various sets of categories. It is understood that the capacity of the tertiary unit is an exponential function, where the base is equal to the number of potential states.
Logarithmic units
What volume unit is implied in this case? If some quantities are expressed through an exponential function, it is more convenient to use their logarithms. In a specific case, several objects become one. In this case, the number of potential values is multiplied, and the capacity of information is added up.
Why is the volume of information storage less than declared?
Surely everyone had to face disappointment. When you buy a flash drive, and its volume is not 4 GB, but a little less. The manufacturer, when marking the released goods, will not write the storage capacity in bytes, where 1 GB = 10 9 , and will indicate a rounded value.
The buyer should consider: the larger the volume of the disk or flash drive, the more significant the run will be between what is on the label and reality. Therefore, you need to study the units of measurement of the amount of information and understand that 1 KB = 1024 bytes, and 1 MB = 1024 KB, 1 GB = 1024 MB, etc.
Number systems
Since in everyday life a person uses the alphabet to express his thoughts, such a language is called natural. Scientists also distinguish formal ones, which include:
- programming language;
- number systems;
- language of algebra, etc.
In the school course, a lot of formal languages are more common, but the most interesting, as well as units of measurement of volume, are the number systems. They are divided into positional and non-positional. In the first case, the value of the figure depends on its position in the number. In the second case, there is no such subordination.
The most common system in computer technology is binary. To display a number in this form, only 1 and 0 are needed. In the octal system, numbers from 0 to 7, inclusive, are required. And finally, the hexadecimal system. It is displayed by digital notation (0-9) and capital letters of the Latin alphabet (AF).