What is Encoding?
Encoding Definition: The action of changing a message into another format through the use of a code.
Understanding Encoding
The action of changing a message into another format through the use of a code. Encoding is the process of transforming data from one format to another according to a specific scheme or standard. Unlike encryption, encoding does not aim to secure information, it is designed for data representation, compatibility, or transmission efficiency. Common encoding schemes include Base64, URL encoding, and Unicode. Encoding is addressed in various standards like RFC 4648 Base64 and Unicode specifications. Organizations use encoding for data representation, transmission, and storage while recognizing it does not provide security without additional protections. For example, when embedding binary data in JSON, an application might use Base64 encoding to represent binary content using ASCII characters, while understanding that this does not provide any security benefits. Related terms: Base64, URL encoding, Unicode, UTF-8, Serialization, Data transformation, Character sets.