For example, a bit or a boolean can be either 0 or 1 so the number 2 is associated with it. Similarly, for a byte which is 8 bits, the maximum number of different assignments would be 2^8.

Is there a name for this number?

When we pass everything through our system that has ECMAScript, Java and MySQL, then a boolean does not have only two possible assignments. For instance, a false boolean gets saved as a 0 and the boxed value could be null so a boolean suddenly can get true, false, 0, 1, null or even undefined or &lt;missing&gt;.

I think it could get problematic in tests to guarantee that the values are not inconsistent. For instance, a value boolean locked could become null and then when a script or a layout template evaluates it then it will evaluate to false somewhere if the real value was null and similar problems.

So why don't we always assert that a boolean has the same number of possible values (2 values) and similarly for other types?

There is a mathematical term named "arity" that is something similar but not exactly, and statistics and probability theory also has the concept of "event space" that would be almost exactly what I mean. For instance, the event space for a boolean would be the set {0,1} which has cardinality 2 and that cardinality doesn't get preserved throughout the system, especially when data is passed as polyglots and/or serialized (json, jsonp, xml, yaml).


Question: Identify my Motobécane racing bike
Answer: Small correction, my mistake should have read " "MBK Trainer" on the down tube " .. (but with a Motobecane Badge on the Steerer, some also with Motobecane in smaller letters on the top tube). Checked a couple of the searches I had, you truly have a confounding model. Hi-Ten, Cro-Mo, Motolite, 2040, one states Vitus tubes, but I can't read the sticker to verify it. Some with proper lugs on the steerer, some with "inexternal". I wonder if they were using up stock, after many of the older established models were discontinued after 84. 

Fwiw, as long as you are happy with the weight and feel of the bike, nothing wrong with Hi-Ten. As long as I'm only on paved surfaces, I still enjoy loaded touring with a 76 Super Mirage with lowly 1020 tubing. The only bike I've always kept, still very comfortable at the end of long days in the saddle.

Motobecane stared phasing out the Swiss BBs in the early eighties, you are lucky not to have one, tough to find and expensive, the Mirage unfortunately does. Many report good result with the BSA BBs for stripped threads. Mine was in need and was lucky and found one incorrectly listed as French on the bay, I hope I will never need another. 

Geo