Editing Integer (computer science) (section)

=== Bytes and octets ===
{{Main article|Byte|Octet (computing)}}
The term ''byte'' initially meant 'the smallest addressable unit of memory'. In the past, 5-, 6-, 7-, 8-, and 9-bit bytes have all been used. There have also been computers that could address individual bits ('bit-addressed machine'), or that could only address 16- or 32-bit quantities ('word-addressed machine'). The term ''byte'' was usually not used at all in connection with bit- and word-addressed machines.

The term ''octet'' always refers to an 8-bit quantity. It is mostly used in the field of [[computer network]]ing, where computers with different byte widths might have to communicate.

In modern usage ''byte'' almost invariably means eight bits, since all other sizes have fallen into disuse; thus ''byte'' has come to be synonymous with ''octet''.