parity
<storage, communications> An extra bit added to a byte or word to reveal
errors in storage (in RAM or disk) or transmission. Even (odd) parity means that
the parity bit is set so that there are an even (odd) number of one bits in the
word, including the parity bit. A single parity bit can only reveal single bit
errors since if an even number of bits are wrong then the parity bit will not
change. Moreover, it is not possible to tell which bit is wrong, as it is with
more sophisticated error detection and correction systems.
See also longitudinal parity, checksum, cyclic redundancy check.
(1996-03-01)
Nearby terms:
parent process « Pari « Paris « parity »
parity bit » parity error » Parkinson's Law of Data
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