What is a binary digit that can be either 0 or 1 called?

A binary digit that can either be 0 or 1 is called a bit. The term "bit" is derived from "binary digit" and is the basic unit of information in computing and digital communications. Each bit represents a state of information, where 0 typically indicates "off" or "false" and 1 indicates "on" or "true."

Other terms mentioned, such as byte, nibble, and word, refer to larger groupings of bits. A byte consists of 8 bits, a nibble is half a byte (or 4 bits), and a word can vary in size depending on the architecture of the system – typically 16, 32, or 64 bits. Understanding the distinction between these terms is crucial for grasping foundational concepts in computer science and how data is represented and manipulated in digital systems.