What is the smallest unit of digital memory called?

The smallest unit of digital memory is referred to as a bit. A bit is a binary digit that can have a value of either 0 or 1, and it serves as the fundamental building block of all digital communication and data storage. Bits are used in various configurations to represent more complex data; for instance, eight bits make up a byte, which is commonly used to encode a single character of text in computers.

In terms of digital memory and data representation, it's essential to understand that while a byte (which consists of eight bits) is a widely recognized unit, it is not the smallest. A nibble, which is half a byte or four bits, is also larger than a bit. Similarly, a word is a term typically used to describe a set of bits that a processor can handle at one time, which varies in size (16, 32, or 64 bits, for example) depending on the architecture.

Thus, recognizing that a bit is the smallest unit helps grasp the foundation of digital data representation and storage mechanisms.