Trit

2 definitions found

From Jargon File (4.3.1, 29 Jun 2001) [jargon]:

  trit /trit/ n. [by analogy with `bit'] One base-3 digit; the amount of
     information conveyed by a selection among one of three equally likely
     outcomes (see also {bit}). Trits arise, for example, in the context of a
     {flag} that should actually be able to assume _three_ values -- such as
     yes, no, or unknown. Trits are sometimes jokingly called `3-state bits'.
     A trit may be semi-seriously referred to as `a bit and a half', although


     it is linearly equivalent to 1.5849625 bits (that is, log2(3) bits).
  
  

From The Free On-line Dictionary of Computing (27 SEP 03) [foldoc]:

  trit
       
           /trit/ (By analogy with "{bit}") One base-3 digit; the
          amount of information conveyed by a selection among one of
          three equally likely outcomes.  Trits arise, for example, in
          the context of a {flag} that should actually be able to assume
          *three* values - such as yes, no, or unknown.  Trits are
          sometimes jokingly called "3-state bits".  A trit may be
          semi-seriously referred to as "a bit and a half", although it
          is linearly equivalent to 1.5849625 bits (that is, log2(3)
          bits).
       
          [{Jargon File}]
       
          (1995-05-11)