Because words mean things. Digital data is actual binary encoded by a computer. Clapping your hands or reflecting light isn't digital. And the variable length obviously does matter, though even if it wasn't variable length it still wouldn't be digital.
Oh, you are not understanding that "digital" is not a single usage...
In computer specific terms, sure, you are probably correct, it sounds correct.
But in the world of signal transmission, digital refers only to a data signal that can perform only two states, on and off, as opposed to analogue signals which can vary in amplitude, frequency, etc. The device encoding or decoding the signal is irrelevant, digital vs analogue is a characteristic of the signal itself.
Because words mean things. Digital data is actual binary encoded by a computer. Clapping your hands or reflecting light isn't digital. And the variable length obviously does matter, though even if it wasn't variable length it still wouldn't be digital.
Oh, you are not understanding that "digital" is not a single usage...
In computer specific terms, sure, you are probably correct, it sounds correct.
But in the world of signal transmission, digital refers only to a data signal that can perform only two states, on and off, as opposed to analogue signals which can vary in amplitude, frequency, etc. The device encoding or decoding the signal is irrelevant, digital vs analogue is a characteristic of the signal itself.