The operation of electronic computers for data processing has become an important step in the process of improving management and planning systems. But this method of collecting and processing information is somewhat different from the usual, therefore, it requires transformation into a system of characters that are understandable to a computer.
What is information encoding?
Data encoding is a mandatory step in the process of collecting and processing information.
As a rule, a code means a combination of characters that corresponds to the transmitted data or some of their qualitative characteristics. And coding is the process of compiling an encrypted combination in the form of a list of abbreviations or special characters that completely convey the original meaning of the message. Encryption is sometimes called encryption, but you should know that the latter procedure involves protecting data from hacking and reading by third parties.
The purpose of coding is to present information in a convenient and concise format to simplify their transfer and processing on computing devices. Computers operate only with information of a certain form, so it is so important not to forget about it in order to avoid problems. The basic data processing scheme includes searching, sorting and organizing, and the coding in it occurs at the stage of entering information in the form of code.
What is information decoding?
The question of what encoding and decoding can arise for a PC user for various reasons, but in any case it is important to convey the correct information, which will allow the user to successfully advance further in the flow of information technologies. As you understand, after the data processing process, an output code is obtained. If such a fragment is decrypted, then the initial information is formed. That is, decoding is the opposite of encryption.
If during encoding the data takes the form of symbolic signals that fully correspond to the transmitted object, then when decoding the transmitted information or some of its characteristics is removed from the code.
There can be several recipients of encoded messages, but it is very important that the information fall into the hands of them and not be disclosed earlier by third parties. Therefore, it is worth studying the processes of encoding and decoding information. They help to exchange confidential information between a group of interlocutors.
Encoding and decoding of text information
When you press the keyboard key, the computer receives a signal in the form of a binary number, the decoding of which can be found in the code table - the internal representation of characters in the PC. The worldwide standard is the ASCII table.
However, it is not enough to know what encoding and decoding is; you still need to understand how the data is located in the computer. For example, to store one character of a binary code, an electronic computer allocates 1 byte, that is, 8 bits. This cell can take only two values: 0 and 1. It turns out that one byte allows you to encrypt 256 different characters, because such a number of combinations can be made up. These combinations are a key part of the ASCII table. For example, the letter S is encoded as 01010011. When you press it on the keyboard, data is encoded and decoded, and we get the expected result on the screen.
Half of the ASCII standards table contains codes for numbers, control characters, and Latin letters. Another part of it is filled with national signs, pseudographic signs and symbols that are not related to mathematics. It is clear that in different countries this part of the table will be different. The numbers are also converted to binary in the input system according to the standard summary.
Number coding
In the binary number system , which is actively used by computers, there are only two digits - 0 and 1.
Actions with the resulting numbers of a binary system are studied by binary arithmetic. Most of the laws of basic mathematical operations for such numbers remain relevant.
Examples of encoding and decoding numbers
We suggest considering 2 ways of encoding the number 45. If this digit occurs within a text fragment, then each of its components will be encoded, according to the ASCII standards table, with 8 bits. The four will turn into 01000011, and the five will turn into 01010011.
If the number 45 is used for calculations, then a special technique of conversion to the eight-bit binary code 001011012 will be used, for the storage of which only 1 byte will be needed.
Graphics Encoding
Enlarging a monochrome image with a magnifier, you will see that it consists of a huge number of small dots forming a full-fledged pattern. The individual qualities of each picture and the linear coordinates of any point can be displayed in the form of numbers. Therefore, raster coding is based on binary code adapted to display graphic information.
Black and white pictures are combinations of dots with different shades of gray, that is, the brightness of any point in the image is determined by eight-bit binary numbers. The principle of decomposition of an arbitrary gradient into basic components is the basis of such a process as coding of graphic information. Decoding of pictures occurs in the same way, but in the opposite direction.
When decomposing, three primary colors are used: green, red and blue, because any natural shade can be obtained by combining these gradients. This coding system is commonly called RGB. In the case of using twenty-four bits to encrypt a graphic image, the conversion mode is called full color.
All primary colors are matched with shades that complement the base point, making it white. The complementary color is the gradient formed by the sum of the other primary tones. Yellow, magenta and cyan are distinguished by complementary colors.
A similar method of coding image points is also used in the printing industry. Only here it is customary to use the fourth color - black. For this reason, the printing conversion system is referred to as CMYK. This system uses thirty-two binary digits to represent images.
Methods of encoding and decoding information involve the use of various technologies, depending on the type of input data. For example, a method of encrypting graphic images with sixteen-digit binary codes is called High Color. This technology makes it possible to transfer to the screen as many as two hundred and fifty-six shades. By reducing the number of binary bits used to encrypt points in a graphic image, you automatically reduce the amount needed to temporarily store information. This method of encoding data is called index.
Audio Encoding
Now that we have examined what encoding and decoding is, and the methods that underlie this process, it’s worthwhile to dwell on a question such as encoding audio data.
Sound information can be represented in the form of elementary units and pauses between each pair of them. Each signal is converted and stored in computer memory. Sounds are output using a speech synthesizer, which uses encrypted combinations stored in the PC's memory.
As for human speech, it is much more difficult to encode, because it has a variety of shades, and the computer has to compare each phrase with a standard previously stored in its memory. Recognition will occur only when the spoken word is found in the dictionary.
Binary Information Encoding
There are various methods for implementing such a procedure as coding of numerical, textual and graphic information. Data decoding usually takes place using reverse technology.
When encoding numbers, even the purpose for which the digit was entered into the system is taken into account: for arithmetic calculations or simply for output. All data encoded in the binary system is encrypted using units and zeros. These characters are also called bits. This encoding method is the most popular, because it is easiest to organize technologically: the presence of a signal is 1, the absence is 0. Binary encryption has only one drawback - this is the length of the combinations of characters. But from a technical point of view, it’s easier to wield a bunch of simple, similar components than a small number of more complex ones.
Benefits of Binary Encoding
- This form of presentation of information is suitable for its various types.
- There are no errors during data transfer.
- A PC is much easier to process data encoded in this way.
- Devices with two states are required.
Disadvantages of binary coding
- A large length of codes, which somewhat slows down their processing.
- The difficulty of perceiving binary combinations by a person without special education or training.
Conclusion
After reading this article, you could find out what encoding and decoding is and what it is used for. It can be concluded that the used data conversion techniques are completely dependent on the type of information. It can be not only text, but also numbers, images and sound.
Coding of various information allows to unify the form of its presentation, that is, to make it of the same type, which significantly speeds up the processing and automation of data with further use.
In electronic computers, the principles of standard binary coding are most often used, which converts the original form of presentation of information into a format more convenient for storage and further processing. When decoding, all processes occur in the reverse order.