What is a double byte?

A double byte refers to a data measurement that consists of 16 bits. This is significant because a double byte can represent a wider range of values compared to a single byte, which is 8 bits. Specifically, a single byte can represent 256 different values (2^8), while a double byte can represent 65,536 different values (2^16). This expanded range is particularly useful in computing for encoding characters in certain character sets, such as Unicode, which allows for the representation of a vast array of symbols and languages. Additionally, the use of double bytes is critical in ensuring that data can be handled efficiently in applications that involve more complex characters beyond the basic ASCII set. Understanding this concept is fundamental for grasping how data is structured and managed in computer systems.