zeta.one
zeta.one
Blog about random technical stuff.

I often find myself explaining the same things in real life and online, so I recently started writing technical blog posts.

This one is about why it was a mistake to call 1024 bytes a kilobyte. It’s about a 20min read so thank you very much in advance if you find the time to read it.

Feedback is very much welcome. Thank you.

  • @[email protected]English
    6•1 year ago

    In terms of storage 1000 and 1024 take the same amount of bytes bits to represent. So from a computer point of view 1024 makes a lot more sense.

    It’s just a binary Vs decimal thing. 1000 is not nicely represented in binary the same as 1024 isn’t in decimal.

    Edit: was talking about storing the actual number.

    • @abhibeckertEnglish
      4•1 year ago

      In terms of storage 1000 and 1024 take the same amount of bytes.

      What? No. A terabyte in 1024 units is 8,796,093,022,208 bits. In 1000 units it’s 8,000,000,000,000 bits.

      The difference is substantial with larger numbers.

      • @[email protected]English
        -4•1 year ago

        Both require the same amount of bits again. So the second one makes more sense for a computer.