EBCDIC
Technology & Computing abbreviation · Computer
| Stands for | Extended Binary Coded Decimal Interchange Code |
|---|---|
| Categories | Technology & Computing |
EBCDIC stands for Extended Binary Coded Decimal Interchange Code, a computer abbreviation.
Eight-bit character encoding created by IBM for its mainframes and still used on IBM Z systems. Its letters are not arranged in one continuous block, and text must be converted when exchanged with ASCII-based systems.
Example: The nightly job converts the mainframe's EBCDIC files to UTF-8 before loading them into the warehouse.
Usage notes
IBM introduced EBCDIC with the System/360 in 1964, building on its punched-card codes. Pronounced "EB-see-dick" or "EB-suh-dick". Gaps between I and J and between R and S break simple tricks such as testing whether a character falls between A and Z. National variants exist as numbered code pages, such as CCSID 37 for US English.
Related abbreviations
More computer abbreviations
- Ctrl+Alt+Del – Control-Alt-Delete
- DC – Domain controller
- Del – Delete key
- DISM – Deployment Image Servicing and Management
- DOS – Disk operating system
- DP – Data processing
- Esc – Escape key
- exFAT – Extended File Allocation Table
- ext4 – Fourth extended file system
- FAT – File Allocation Table
- FAT32 – File Allocation Table, 32-bit
- Fn – Function key (modifier)