Data Representation

Data Representation

Definition of Data Representation

Data representation refers to the methods used to internally represent information stored in a computer. Computers store a lot of different types of information which include: Numbers, Text, Graphics, and Sound. At least all seem different to us. However, all types of information stored in a computer are stored internally in the same format: a sequence of 0’s and 1’s.

Methods of Data Representation


1. BITS
BITS stands for Binary digITS. The smallest unit of data on a binary computer is a single bit. It consist 1(s) and 0(s).

2. BCD
BCD is an acronym that stands for Binary Coded Decimal. BCD is a method of using binary digits to represent decimal digits 0 through 9. A decimal digit is represented by four binary digits as shown below.

BCD Table
Decimal BCD
0 0000
1 0001
2 0010
3 0011
4 0100
5 0101
6 0110
7 0111
8 1000
9 1001

Example 1: Convert 4910 to BCD
Solution
From the table
4 = 0100
9 = 1001
Therefore 49 10 = 01001001BCD

3. EBCDIC
EBCDIC represents Extended Binary Coded Decimal Interchange Code. It is eight bits or one byte wide. Each byte consists of two nibbles. The first four define the class of character, while the second nibble defines the specific character inside that class. A coding scheme developed by IBM for use with its computers as a standard method of assigning binary (numeric) values to alphabetic, numeric, punctuation, and transmission-control characters.

4. ASCII
ASCII stands for American Standard for Information Interchange. This coding scheme assigns numeric values to letters, numbers, punctuation marks, and certain other characters.

ASCII Table

5. UNICODE
Unicode provides a unique number for every character, no matter the platform, program and language.

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