In computing, a '''syllable''' is a name for a platform-dependent [[Units of information|'''unit''' of '''information storage''']].Dependingthat ondescribes the targetsize hardware,of variousdata for some digital [[bitcomputer widthhardware|hardware]]s(from the 1960s and sometimes1970s. internalThe groupings)size areof associatedthe withunit it.varies Commonlyby usedhardware design in much the 1960ssame andway 1970s,that the[[word term(computer hasarchitecture)|word]] mostlydoes. fallenThe intoterm disuseis innot favourused offor modern hardware; standardized terms, likesuch as [[byte]], orare [[wordused (computer architecture)|word]]instead.
Examples:
* {{anchor|3-bit}}[[3-bit computing|3-bit]] syllables: some experimental [[Complex Instruction Set Computing|CISC]] designs<ref name="Jones_2016_CISC"/><ref name="Jones_1988_CISC"/>
* {{anchor|8-bit}}[[8-bit computing|8-bit]] syllables: [[English Electric KDF9]] (represented as [[syllabic octal]]s and also called [[slob-octal]]s<ref name="Beard_1997"/><ref name="CCS_2009"/> or [[slob (KDF9)|slob]]s in this context)<ref name="EE_1961"/> and [[Burroughs large systems]] (see also: [[Burroughs B6x00-7x00 instruction set]])
* {{anchor|12-bit}}[[12-bit computing|12-bit]] syllables: NCR computers such as the [[NCR 315]]<ref name="Schneider_1970"/> (also called [[slab (unit)|slab]]s in this context)<ref name="Schneider_1970"/><ref name="NCR_315_EDPS"/><ref name="Bardin_1963"/> and [[Burroughs large systems]]
* {{anchor|13-bit}}[[13-bit computing|13-bit]] syllables: [[Saturn Launch Vehicle Digital Computer]] (LVDC)<ref name="Burkey_2009_LVDC"/> and [[Gemini Spacecraft On-Board Computer]] (OBC)<ref name="Burkey_2010_Gemini"/>
