Explain the concept of base conversion and its importance in computer science, providing an example of converting a decimal number to octal.

Base conversion is the process of translating numbers between different numeral systems. It is crucial in computer science for tasks such as interpreting binary data, optimizing storage, and performing calculations in different bases. To convert a decimal number, such as 156, to octal, repeatedly divide by 8, recording remainders: 156 ÷ 8 = 19 R4, 19 ÷ 8 = 2 R3, 2 ÷ 8 = 0 R2. The octal representation is 234.