(computers) a group of contiguous bits, usually eight, that is a memory and data storage unit —note 1. file sizes are measured in bytes or megabytes (1 million bytes) —note 2. bytes contain values of 0 to 255 and are most often used to represent integer numbers or ASCII characters, e.g., a byte with an ASCII value of 77 represents a capital M —note 3. a collection of bytes (often four or eight bytes) is used to represent real numbers and integers larger than 255This definition last updated 07/17/2008