Binary-coded decimal Binary-coded decimal In computing and electronic systems, binary-coded decimal (BCD) is a class of binary encodings of decimal numbers where each decimal digit is represented by a fixed number of bits, usually four or eight. Special bit patterns are sometimes used for a sign or for other indications (e.g., error or overflow). In byte-oriented systems (i.e. most modern computers), the term "unpacked" BCD usually implies a full byte for each digit (often including a sign), whereas "packed" BCD typically encodes two decimal digits within a single byte by taking advantage of the fact that four bits are enough to represent
Creative Computing (magazine) Creative Computing (magazine) Creative Computing was one of the earliest magazines covering the microcomputer revolution. Published from October 1974 until October 1985, the magazine covered the whole spectrum of hobbyist/home/personal computing in a more accessible format than the rather technically oriented "BYTE". "Creative Computing" also published software on cassette tape and floppy disk for the popular computer systems of the time. The magazine was founded by David H. Ahl, who sold it to Ziff-Davis in the early 1980s, but remained as editor-in-chief. Featured writers included Robert Swirsky, David Lubar, and John J. Anderson. The magazine regularly included BASIC source code