Final answer:
When printed on paper, data output is referred to as a hard copy. It represents the printed version of data or documents created by a computer or similar digital device. This is distinct from a soft copy, which remains in digital form viewable on electronic displays. Option B is correct.
Step-by-step explanation:
When printed on paper, data output is referred to as B) hard copy. This term is used to describe the physical version of documents or data produced by a computer printer or any other digital device.
In contrast, a soft copy refers to the digital version of these documents or data, which can be viewed on a computer screen or other display device without being physically printed. For example, when you print out a document to turn it in as a school assignment, you are creating a hard copy of that document.
The terms 'reports' and 'financials' can also be associated with printed documents, but they are context-specific. 'Reports' are often used to describe documents containing detailed information or data analysis, and 'financials' are specifically related to financial information.
Neither of these terms intrinsically conveys that the material is in printed form. On the other hand, hard copy explicitly refers to the tangible, printed version of any data or document output, regardless of its content.