Encoding

The word encoding has a number of meanings.

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• A character encoding is a code that pairs a set of natural language characters (such as an alphabet or syllabary) with a set of something else, such as numbers or electrical pulses.
• Text encoding uses a markup language to tag the structure and other features of a text to facilitate processing by computers. (See also Text Encoding Initiative.)
• A semantics encoding of formal language A in formal language B is a method of representing all terms (e.g. programs or descriptions) of language A using language B.
• Line encoding or modulation transforms a signal into a form optimized for transmission or storage.

Encoding is different from encryption in the sense that encoding does not need a key (or a salt), while encryption does need it.

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Encryption: :This article is about algorithms for encryption and decryption. For an overview of cryptographic technology in general, see cryptography. For the movie, see Encrypt (movie)...

Key: The word key has several uses:...

Salt: : This article is about the general chemical term salt. For the everyday meaning, see edible salt or its main ingredient, sodium chloride. For other meanings of the word salt, see salt (disambiguation)....