What does the term "BCD" mean?

The term "BCD" stands for Binary Coded Decimal. This is a class of binary encodings used to represent decimal numbers in a binary format. In BCD, each digit of a decimal number is represented by its own fixed binary sequence. For example, the decimal number "45" would be represented in BCD as two separate groups of binary digits: "0100" for 4 and "0101" for 5.

BCD is particularly useful in applications where numeric data is processed and displayed, such as in digital clocks and calculators, as it allows for straightforward conversion between binary and decimal as well as easier human interpretation. This method of encoding ensures that the decimal numbers can be accurately represented without the complexities that arise from using pure binary representations, which can lead to rounding errors in decimal calculations.

In contrast, other choices like Byte Count Data, Bipolar Coded Decimal, and Bit Compiled Data do not accurately define BCD and represent different concepts entirely within data encoding and transmission.