Final answer:
Punched holes in a card represented specific alphanumeric codes in early computing. This card, known as a punched card or hole card, carried data which was read by a machine, interpreting the presence of a hole as binary '1' and absence as '0'.
Step-by-step explanation:
In the context of early computers and data storage, punched holes in a card represents specific alphanumeric codes. These cards were called punched cards or hole cards and were particularly used in early computing. Each hole location within a column was assigned a specific value or character. When a hole was punched at the location, it represented the corresponding value. For example, the top-most hole could represent the letter A, and if it is punched, it means the letter A is being stored at that column.
The data was read from these cards by a machine which passed each hole over a reading area. If light could pass through (because there was a hole), the machine would recognize this as a binary '1', otherwise it would be recognised as a '0'.
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