Home IT Management 16-Bit Webopedia Staff December 1, 1997 Updated on: April 7, 2021 Share Facebook Twitter Linkedin Email Refers to the number of bits that can be processed or transmitted in parallel, or the number of bits used for single element in a data format. The term is often applied to the following: microprocessor: indicates the width of the registers. A 16-bit microprocessor can process data and memory addresses that are represented by 16 bits. bus : indicates the number of wires in the bus. A 16-bit bus transmits 16 bits in parallel. graphics device, such as a scanner or digital camera : specifies the number of bits used to represent each pixel. operating system: refers primarily to the number of bits used to represent memory addresses. Windows 3.x is a 16-bit operating system, whereas Windows 95 and Windows NT are 32-bit operating systems. expansion board: refers to how much data can be sent to and from the card in parallel. 8-bit cards are sometimes called half-size cards whereas 16-bit cards are referred to as full-size cards. Related Terms Software-Defined Infrastructure Definition & Meaning Software-Defined Storage (SDS) Definition & Meaning Enumerated Type Definition & Meaning Dynamic Infrastructure Definition & Meaning Converged Infrastructure Definition & Meaning Rate Limiting Definition & Meaning IAM Definition & Meaning Href Definition & Meaning Patch Management Definition & Meaning Algorithm Definition & Meaning Webopedia StaffSince 1995, more than 100 tech experts and researchers have kept Webopedia’s definitions, articles, and study guides up to date. For more information on current editorial staff, please visit our About page. Top Articles The Complete List of 1500+ Common Text Abbreviations & Acronyms Social Media Vangie Beal - April 6, 2021 1 Text Abbreviations reviewed by Web Webster From A3 to ZZZ we list 1,559 SMS, online chat, and text abbreviations to help you translate and understand... Read more How to Create a Website Shortcut on Your Desktop Browsers Vangie Beal - April 6, 2021 0 Website Shortcut on Your Desktop reviewed by Web Webster This Webopedia guide will show you how to create a website shortcut on your desktop using... Read more Windows Operating System History & Versions Operating Systems Vangie Beal - January 16, 2012 0 The Windows operating system (Windows OS) refers to a family of operating systems developed by Microsoft Corporation. We look at the history of Windows... Read more First to Fifth Generations of Computers Computers Vangie Beal - April 6, 2021 0 Reviewed by Web Webster Learn about each of the 5 generations of computers and major technology developments that have led to the computing devices that... Read more Related Articles Definitions Hackerspace Definition & Meaning What is a hackerspace? A hackerspace, also known as a hacklab, incubator, or hackspace,... Abby Dykes - April 14, 2021 0 Read more Computers Random Access Memory (RAM)... Random Access Memory (RAM) reviewed by Web Webster Random Access Memory (RAM) is a... Vangie Beal - April 6, 2021 1 Read more Computers OEM – original equipment... OEM - Original Equipment Manufacturer reviewed by Web Webster OEM (pronounced as separate letters)... Vangie Beal - April 6, 2021 11 Read more
