Question

Write and test a Python script that, given a number of bytes, outputs the equivalent number of kilobytes, megabytes, gigabytes, and terabytes. Write and test a complementary script that, given a number of terabytes, outputs the equivalent number of \(G B\), MB, KB, and bytes.

Short answer

Create and test Python scripts to convert bytes to TB and TB to bytes using unit conversions of 1024.

Step-by-step solution

Understand Unit Conversions

To convert between these units, we use the binary system where 1 KB = 1024 bytes, 1 MB = 1024 KB, 1 GB = 1024 MB, and 1 TB = 1024 GB. This means each unit is 1024 times larger than the one below it.

Convert Bytes to Higher Units

We need a function that takes a number of bytes and converts it to KB, MB, GB, and TB. The conversions are as follows: - Kilobytes: divide bytes by 1024. - Megabytes: divide the result from KB by 1024. - Gigabytes: divide the result from MB by 1024. - Terabytes: divide the result from GB by 1024. Python code for this is written using these conversions.

Implement Bytes Conversion Script

Here is a Python function that performs these calculations: ```python def convert_bytes_to_higher_units(bytes): kilobytes = bytes / 1024 megabytes = kilobytes / 1024 gigabytes = megabytes / 1024 terabytes = gigabytes / 1024 return kilobytes, megabytes, gigabytes, terabytes ``` This function will print the equivalent value of a given number of bytes in each higher unit.

Test Bytes Conversion Script

Test the function with an example input: ```python bytes_input = 1048576 # 1 MB in bytes kb, mb, gb, tb = convert_bytes_to_higher_units(bytes_input) print("Kilobytes:", kb) print("Megabytes:", mb) print("Gigabytes:", gb) print("Terabytes:", tb) ``` This code should confirm whether the conversion calculations are correct.

Convert Terabytes to Lower Units

Write a similar function that takes a number of terabytes and converts it to GB, MB, KB, and bytes using: - Gigabytes: multiply terabytes by 1024. - Megabytes: multiply gigabytes by 1024. - Kilobytes: multiply megabytes by 1024. - Bytes: multiply kilobytes by 1024.

Implement Terabytes Conversion Script

Here's a Python function for this operation: ```python def convert_terabytes_to_lower_units(terabytes): gigabytes = terabytes * 1024 megabytes = gigabytes * 1024 kilobytes = megabytes * 1024 bytes = kilobytes * 1024 return gigabytes, megabytes, kilobytes, bytes ```

Test Terabytes Conversion Script

Test the function with an example input: ```python terabytes_input = 1 # 1 TB gb, mb, kb, b = convert_terabytes_to_lower_units(terabytes_input) print("Gigabytes:", gb) print("Megabytes:", mb) print("Kilobytes:", kb) print("Bytes:", b) ``` Verify that the outputs are appropriately converted.

Key concepts

Unit Conversion

Unit conversion is a crucial concept in programming and data handling, especially when dealing with storage sizes in computers. In computing, we often work with units like bytes, kilobytes (KB), megabytes (MB), gigabytes (GB), and terabytes (TB). Each of these units is used to measure data size efficiently.
In the binary system used by computers:

• 1 KB equals 1024 bytes.
• 1 MB equals 1024 KB.
• 1 GB equals 1024 MB.
• 1 TB equals 1024 GB.

This hierarchy means that each unit is 1024 times larger than the previous unit. Hence, when converting, you either divide by 1024 to go from a smaller to a larger unit or multiply by 1024 to go from a larger to a smaller unit.

Binary System

The binary system is fundamental to how computers store and process data. Unlike our typical decimal system which is base-10, the binary system is base-2. This system uses only two digits, 0 and 1, reflecting the on/off state of electrical devices.
This system particularly matters in unit conversions in computing, where storage sizes based on binary calculations. Understanding that storage sizes use a base of 1024 rather than the base of 1000 (as in metric system) is crucial.
The binary system is the reason why 1 KB equals 1024 bytes, not 1000. This binary structure affects operations across computer systems, such as data transfer, memory allocation, and unit conversions.

Script Testing

Testing scripts is a fundamental step in programming to ensure your code works as expected. In this context, it means checking that your conversion functions accurately transform data units, such as bytes to kilobytes, or terabytes to bytes.
Script testing involves:

• Creating test cases: Choose specific inputs you know the outcome for, helping verify your function's output.
• Running the script: Execute your Python script with these test cases.
• Reviewing outputs: Compare the produced output with expected results to check for accuracy.
• Debugging: If there are discrepancies, revisit the code to identify and fix errors.

Well-tested scripts help ensure reliability, providing confidence that your functions perform their intended tasks accurately.

Function Implementation

Function implementation in Python allows you to encapsulate logic that can be reused across your program. In our exercise, implementing functions to convert data units showcases this well.
The function for converting bytes to higher units first divides the bytes by 1024 to get kilobytes, then continues dividing by 1024 for each subsequent unit.
Here's a simplified view of how it's done: ```python def convert_bytes_to_higher_units(bytes): kilobytes = bytes / 1024 megabytes = kilobytes / 1024 gigabytes = megabytes / 1024 terabytes = gigabytes / 1024 return kilobytes, megabytes, gigabytes, terabytes ``` A similar approach applies when you implement the reverse function—converting terabytes to lower units. By structuring your code in functions, it becomes more manageable, testable, and reusable, leading to more efficient programming practices.