binary coded decimal
<data> (BCD, packed decimal) A number representation where a number is
expressed as a sequence of decimal digits and then each decimal digit is encoded
as a four-bit binary number (a nibble). E.g. decimal 92 would be encoded as the
eight-bit sequence 1001 0010.
In some cases, the right-most nibble contains the sign (positive or negative).
It is easier to convert decimal numbers to and from BCD than binary and, though
BCD is often converted to binary for arithmetic processing, it is possible to
build hardware that operates directly on BCD.
[Do calculators use BCD?]
(2001-01-27)
Nearby terms:
Bill Joy « binaries « binary « binary coded
decimal » Binary Compatibility Standard » binary
counter » binary data
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