For anyone confused, let's get into the bit-architectures. #BitComputing
So, for any computer to work, there has to be Binary Data in place.
What is Binary Data? Well, how everything "computing" is coded. To code stuff in computers, you have to code stuff in the numbers 1 and 0. To code the number 2, you write 10, three is 11, four is 100, this keeps going. You can google any number in binary and find out.
Ok, let's now explore the types of Bit-Computing and see the differences. You should know that knowing about those differences will play a major role in Retro Computing since it helps understanding how Retro Computers work compared to know.
8-Bit Computing
So, basically, 8-bit is a limitation for CPUs in the 80s and 70s that limited the computer to use only 8-bit wide code. This sounds like a little but considering this was 5+ decades ago, it makes sense that it would be less than now. As of 8-bit memorable computers, the Apple II, the Commodore PET and VIC-20, the Atari 8-bit family, and BBC Micro.
To summarize, any computer before the IBM PC, Commodore 64, and the Apple Macintosh & Lisa, is probably 8-bit.
16-Bit Computing
If you guessed that the 16-bit Computing is a doubling of the 8-bit, you are right. An 8-bit computer contains the ability to code one "octet" at a time. An octet is a set of 8 bits. A 16-bit computer can code up to 2 octets together at a time. Not multitask, just combine them for better results. As of Windows and DOS with 16-bit, every MSDOS runs on 16-bit while only Windows 1.0, 2.0, 3.0, and 3.1 run with 16-bit. 16-bit audio is everything Adlib and SoundBlaster 16 compatible while 16-bit video is basically CGA, EGA, and early VGA where the pixels are actually sort of visible.
32-Bit Computing
Ok, so, Bit Computing starts evolving again and it has doubled the 16-bit. Yeah, it is the squares coming into play when it comes to Bit Evolution. So, when we talk about 32-bit, we usually refer to the early Windows versions between Windows 95 and Window Vista (#VistaHate). Those versions of Windows had the "limitation" of only being able to use up to 4GB of RAM at a time. Your computer may have more than 4GB but Windows cannot use more than 4GB at a time. Yes, the money someone payed for more than 4GB of RAM back then was wasted since Windows could not manage more than 4 gigs. 32-Bit is actually still supported by programs, Windows 10 also comes in 32-bit versions and compatibility with 32-Bit programs in Windows can go as far back as Windows 98 (with major issues but still)
Lastly, What is 64-Bit Computing
If 32-Bit restrains itself from passing the 4GB barrier in RAM terms, guess what? 64-Bit Computing passes that barrier. 64-Bit is what Windows uses today, as well as Mac, as well as Linux and any other form of Computer OS. It can surpass the 4GB barrier and it is very advanced. Whoever programs 64-Bit apps, they have so much in their hands to take advantage of compared to what they would have if they did not have more than 4GB to work with.
These are all the Bit-Computing types used in computers since the very beginning. I hope you are not mixed up anymore and they may pop up in multiple retro-places. Keep an eye out and comment what you thought of this post down below! We hope we clarified the topic well. Have a great Thanksgiving.