Decoding

What Does Decoding Mean?

Decoding is the process of converting code into plain text or any format that is useful for subsequent processes. Decoding is the reverse of encoding. It converts encoded data communication transmissions and files to their original states.

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Techopedia Explains Decoding

Most computers use an encoding methodology to transfer, save or use data. Data to be encoded are transformed via an encoding mechanism (for example, the American Standard Code for Information Interchange (ASCII) or BinHex) and transmitted via a communication medium.

As an example, when sending an email, all data, including certain attachments and images, are encoded using a format such as Multipurpose Internet Mail Extensions (MIME). When data arrives, decoding converts the email message content to its original form.

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Margaret Rouse

Margaret Rouse is an award-winning technical writer and teacher known for her ability to explain complex technical subjects to a non-technical, business audience. Over the past twenty years her explanations have appeared on TechTarget websites and she's been cited as an authority in articles by the New York Times, Time Magazine, USA Today, ZDNet, PC Magazine and Discovery Magazine.Margaret's idea of a fun day is helping IT and business professionals learn to speak each other’s highly specialized languages. If you have a suggestion for a new definition or how to improve a technical explanation, please email Margaret or contact her…