Answer:
When sending a message on the internet, the process you're referring to is called "data encoding" or "data serialization." Data encoding involves converting data, which could be in various forms such as text, images, or other types of information, into a format that can be easily transmitted over networks and stored in computer systems. The encoded data is typically in a binary format, which is not directly human-readable but is suitable for efficient processing by computers.
Here's an overview of how data encoding works:
1. **Choosing a Encoding Format**:
The choice of encoding format depends on the type of data being transmitted. Common formats include ASCII, UTF-8 (Unicode Transformation Format), Base64, JSON (JavaScript Object Notation), and more.
2. **Conversion to Binary**:
Data encoding involves converting the original data into binary code, which consists of sequences of 0s and 1s. Each binary digit is known as a "bit." This binary representation allows computers to understand and process the data.
3. **ASCII and Unicode Encoding**:
For textual data, characters are encoded using ASCII or Unicode standards. ASCII assigns a unique number to each character, while Unicode provides a broader character set that includes various languages and symbols.
4. **Base64 Encoding**:
Base64 is often used for encoding binary data (like images) into text. It converts binary data into a string of ASCII characters, making it suitable for transmission in protocols that handle text but not binary data.
5. **JSON and XML Encoding**:
Formats like JSON and XML encode structured data for easy transmission and interpretation. JSON represents data in key-value pairs, while XML uses tags and attributes to define the data structure.
6. **Encryption and Compression**:
In some cases, data may also be encrypted or compressed before encoding to enhance security or reduce transmission size.
The encoded data is then transmitted over the internet using protocols like TCP/IP. At the receiving end, the encoded data is decoded using the appropriate decoding algorithm and converted back to its original format for interpretation by humans or further processing by computers.
Data encoding is a fundamental part of modern communication systems, enabling the efficient exchange of information across the internet and various computer networks.
Step-by-step explanation: