Is a Byte Always 8 Bits?

Byte vs. Bit: Systems with Non-Conforming Values

The notion that a byte is always equivalent to 8 bits is a common misconception. Historical systems have existed where this assumption did not hold true. C and C mandate a minimum of 8 bits for the char data type, but this does not guarantee that every byte consists of 8 bits.

In older machines, data codes smaller than 8 bits were prevalent. However, today, most such systems are defunct.

While on most contemporary machines, a byte is indeed 8 bits, there are notable exceptions. Certain digital signal processors (DSPs) utilize data types with sizes exceeding 8 bits, such as 12, 14, or even 16 bits. Even Windows CE does not strictly adhere to the conventional definition of a byte, with its smallest type being 16 bits.

It's important to note that while these systems may not adhere to the standard byte definition, they generally treat char as 16 bits, aligning with the C and C language standards.

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