Parity checking is a process used in electronic communication to verify the accuracy of data transmission. The word "parity" is spelled /ˈpærɪti/, and the "ty" at the end is pronounced as "tee". The /ˈpærɪ/ part is pronounced as "parry," with the stress on the first syllable. "Checking" is spelled /ˈtʃɛkɪŋ/, with the "ch" pronounced as "chuh." This term is essential in ensuring that the data sent is identical to the data received, reducing errors in communication systems.
Parity checking is a method used in computer systems and data communication networks to detect and correct errors in transmitted data. It involves adding an extra bit to the data being transmitted, called a parity bit, in order to provide a basic level of error detection.
The parity bit is calculated based on the number of bits set to a value of 1 in the data. There are two types of parity checking: even parity and odd parity. In even parity, the parity bit is set to 1 if the number of bits with a value of 1 is odd, and it is set to 0 if the number of bits with a value of 1 is even. Conversely, in odd parity, the parity bit is set to 1 if the number of bits with a value of 1 is even, and it is set to 0 if the number of bits with a value of 1 is odd.
During transmission, the parity bit is sent along with the data. Upon receiving the data, the receiver performs the same parity calculation and checks whether the calculated parity bit matches the received parity bit. If they match, it indicates that no errors occurred during transmission. However, if the calculated parity bit and received parity bit do not match, it signifies that an error has occurred and the data has been corrupted.
Parity checking provides a simple and effective way to detect errors in data transmission. However, it can only detect errors but cannot correct them. For more robust error detection and correction, more advanced techniques such as checksums or cyclic redundancy checks (CRC) are used.
The etymology of the word "parity checking" is derived from two different sources.
1. Parity: The term "parity" comes from the Latin word "paritas", which means "equality" or "evenness". In computer science and mathematics, it refers to a method of determining whether the number of bits set to "1" in a binary code is even or odd. If the number of set bits is even, it is called "even parity", and if it is odd, it is called "odd parity". Parity checking is a technique used in computer systems to detect errors in data transmission or storage by adding an additional bit to make the total number of bits even or odd.
2. Checking: The term "checking" is derived from the verb "to check", which is traced back to the Old French word "eschequier" meaning "to check, control, or test".