What is encoding and decoding in network communication?

Encoding converts information into a transmittable form (a pattern of light, sound, or electrical signals); decoding reverses it at the receiver.

* The encode-transmit-channel-receive-decode pipeline that carries every message. *

Encoding is the process of converting information into another acceptable form for transmission.

Decoding reverses this process to interpret the information at the receiving end.

The communication flow: Message Source → Encoder → Transmitter → Transmission Medium ("The Channel") → Receiver → Decoder → Message Destination

Messages sent across the network are first converted to bits, then encoded into a pattern of light, sound, or electrical impulses depending on the media.

Go deeper:

• Telecommunications — transmitter, channel, receiver — the encode/transmit/decode chain shown in the diagram.
• Communication protocol — message encoding — why both ends must share an encoding scheme.