Do Core Computer Programs Have To Function By Powers Of 2? As an example, the sRGB Gamut is 256 x 256 x 256 (all powers of 2). I'm aware that computers are generally binary. However, is it simply a matter of simplicity that sRGB was made this way, or was it ESSENTIAL? After all, it probably could've safely provided just as many detectable colors with 192 X 192 X 192.
It is not essential. Most computers can handle no data smaller than a byte without extra effort (i.e. the memory is addressed by byte, not by bit). Hence there is generally no point in using less than a byte for anything, unless you're in a situation where memory consumption is crucial, such as network communication.