# Encoding Encoding is the process of converting information from one format into another. In computing, encoding is used to represent data in a specific format that can be understood and processed by computers or human. There are many types of encoding, including: * **Character encoding**: The representation of characters (letters, numbers, symbols, etc.) as unique sequences of binary data. Examples include ASCII, Unicode, UTF-8, etc. * **Data encoding**: The process of converting structured data into a format that can be transmitted or stored efficiently. Examples include XML, JSON, base64, etc. * **Audio/Video encoding**: The process of compressing audio or video data into a smaller and more manageable format for storage or transmission. * etc. Encoding is a fundamental concept in data storage, transmission, and processing, as it allows information to be represented in a **standard and consistent format** that can be understood by different systems. --- # Agent Instructions: Querying This Documentation If you need additional information that is not directly available in this page, you can query the documentation dynamically by asking a question. Perform an HTTP GET request on the current page URL with the `ask` query parameter: ``` GET https://www.ctfrecipes.com/cryptography/general-knowledge/encoding.md?ask= ``` The question should be specific, self-contained, and written in natural language. The response will contain a direct answer to the question and relevant excerpts and sources from the documentation. Use this mechanism when the answer is not explicitly present in the current page, you need clarification or additional context, or you want to retrieve related documentation sections.