In computing, a hextet, or a ''chomp'', is a sixteen-bit aggregation,
or four
nibble
In computing, a nibble (occasionally nybble, nyble, or nybl to match the spelling of byte) is a four-bit aggregation, or half an octet. It is also known as half-byte or tetrade. In a networking or telecommunication context, the nibble is oft ...
s. As a nibble typically is notated in hexadecimal format, a hextet consists of 4 hexadecimal digits. A hextet is the unofficial name for each of the 8 blocks in an
IPv6 address
An Internet Protocol Version 6 address (IPv6 address) is a numeric label that is used to identify and locate a network interface of a computer or a network node participating in a computer network using IPv6. IP addresses are included in the pac ...
.
History
Bob Bemer
Robert William Bemer (February 8, 1920 – June 22, 2004) was a computer scientist best known for his work at IBM during the late 1950s and early 1960s.
Early life and education
Born in Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan, Bemer graduated from Cranbro ...
suggested the use of hextet for 16-bit groups in 2000.
In 2011 an
Internet Draft
An Internet Draft (I-D) is a document published by the Internet Engineering Task Force (IETF) containing preliminary technical specifications, results of networking-related research, or other technical information. Often, Internet Drafts are int ...
explored various alternatives for hextet such as ''quibble'', short for "quad nibble".
In response to this draft, author Trefor Davies suggested the use of the word ''chomp'' because it is in line with the current denominations ''bit'', ''nibble'', ''byte''.
''Hextet'' would more properly describe a 6-bit aggregation, whereas the exact term for 16 bits should be ''hexadectet'', directly related to the term
octet
Octet may refer to:
Music
* Octet (music), ensemble consisting of eight instruments or voices, or composition written for such an ensemble
** String octet, a piece of music written for eight string instruments
*** Octet (Mendelssohn), 1825 compos ...
(for 8 bits). However, because it is harder to pronounce, the short form ''hextet'' is used—in analogy to how ''hex'' is commonly used as an abbreviation for ''
hexadecimal
In mathematics and computing, the hexadecimal (also base-16 or simply hex) numeral system is a positional numeral system that represents numbers using a radix (base) of 16. Unlike the decimal system representing numbers using 10 symbols, hexa ...
'' in computing. This usage of ''hex'' to mean 16 is also in line with the similar
IEEE
The Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) is a 501(c)(3) professional association for electronic engineering and electrical engineering (and associated disciplines) with its corporate office in New York City and its operation ...
1754 term ''
hexlet'' indicating 16 octets.
[ (NB. The standard defines ]doublet
Doublet is a word derived from the Latin ''duplus'', "twofold, twice as much",