Reprezentácia

Reprezentácia, from Latin repraesentare, is a term used in several disciplines to denote the act or result of presenting, standing for, or encoding something else. In everyday usage it can refer to the way an object or idea is depicted, modeled, or expressed, and in technical contexts it denotes a formal structure that embodies the given concept.

In mathematics, representation theory studies how abstract structures such as groups, algebras, or Lie groups can be realized as concrete linear transformations of vector spaces. A representation is a homomorphism from the abstract structure to a group of matrices or linear operators; irreducible representations and characters are key notions. This field connects algebra, geometry, and number theory, and it provides a bridge between abstract theory and computable objects.

In computing and information science, data representation concerns how information is encoded for storage, transmission, and processing. Examples include binary encoding, text encoding (such as Unicode), and graphical representations (raster versus vector). The choice of representation affects efficiency, accuracy, and interoperability, and it underpins algorithms, data formats, and communication protocols.

In social and political contexts, representation describes how citizens are represented by elected officials or how groups are depicted in media and culture. The concept also appears in semiotics and linguistics, where signs and symbols stand for objects, ideas, or relationships in meaning-making processes. Across disciplines, representation shapes interpretation, interaction, and use of information.