What is What is Encoding? - Definition?

Encoding definition

Encoding is the process of converting data, such as text, images, audio, or video, into a digital format that can be transmitted, stored, and processed by computers. The process of encoding transforms raw data into a digital format that can be easily transmitted and stored.

In the context of text, encoding refers to the process of converting characters into a numerical representation that can be processed by computers. The most common text encoding is Unicode, which assigns a unique number, or code point, to each character in a vast array of scripts and symbols. This allows for the representation of text in multiple languages and scripts within a single encoded file.

In the context of images and audio, encoding refers to the process of compressing the data to make it more efficiently transmitted and stored. This can be done through lossless compression, which maintains the original quality of the data, or lossy compression, which sacrifices some quality in exchange for smaller file sizes.

Encoding is also used in video compression, which is essential for transmitting video over the Internet or storing it on limited-capacity devices like smartphones and tablets. Video compression reduces the file size of video files by eliminating redundant information and reducing the quality of less important parts of the video.