1 byte = how many bits???

You think this is a silly question?? Obviously 8-bits.. Isn't it? Well, if you think it is 8-bits, you are probably wrong. Each byte is made up of 9-bits out of which 8-bits are used for data and the last bit for parity. Always, the number of 1's in the collection of 9-bits should be odd. Thus, parity bit automatically takes the value '1' when number on 1's the the 8-data bits is even and '0' otherwise. As this parity bit is not accessible for the programmer, 1 byte is considered to be collection of 8-bits.