databit

A databit is the data-carrying bit within a digital transmission or storage word, distinguished from framing, control, or error-detection bits. The term is often used interchangeably with 'data bit' to refer to the bits that encode the actual information being transmitted or stored.

In asynchronous serial communications such as RS-232 or UART interfaces, a transmitted character is framed with a start bit and one or more stop bits, and may include a parity bit for error checking. The bits that carry the character’s information—the typically 7 or 8 data bits—are the databits. In parallel data paths and storage systems, a data word is defined by a width such as 8, 16, 32, or 64 databits, with separate overhead bits for error detection or synchronization as appropriate.

Notes: The term 'databit' is not a formal unit in standard measurement systems; rather it is a descriptive term used in technical literature and documentation. The choice of databit width affects encoding and throughput: higher databit widths allow more information per unit time but may require wider buses and more complex error handling. In text encoding contexts, 7-bit or 8-bit databit schemes are common, corresponding to ASCII and extended ASCII character sets. While prevalent in discussion of serial interfaces and data paths, the exact usage of the term can vary by field and legacy system.