coded

Coded is an adjective and past participle derived from the verb code. It describes information, messages, or processes that have been transformed into a code or symbolic system, typically requiring a method to revert to the original form. The term implies that a transformation has been applied, whether for storage, transmission, interpretation, or concealment.

In computing and telecommunications, data is described as coded when it has been converted into a specific representation. Examples include character encodings such as ASCII and UTF-8, as well as data encodings like Base64 or URL percent-encoding. Coded data can be decoded or reconstituted by applying the inverse transformation.

In cryptography, coding often overlaps with encryption, though they have distinct purposes. Encoding changes format for compatibility or efficiency, while encryption aims to protect content from unauthorized access. A coded message in everyday language may still be encrypted; in common usage, “coded” can suggest secrecy or hidden meaning.

In linguistics and social contexts, coded language or coded communication refers to the use of jargon, allusions, dialect features, or other conventions that convey information to insiders while remaining opaque to outsiders. Such coding can function as social signaling, stylistic choice, or a means of avoiding eavesdropping.

In biology, genetic information is frequently described as coded in DNA or RNA, with the genetic code mapping nucleotide sequences to amino acids and protein structures. This biological coding underlies cellular processes and inheritance.

Historically, coded messages have played central roles in diplomacy and warfare, from simple ciphered notes to modern digital encryption systems.

See also: code, encoding, cipher, cryptography, data integrity, digital transmission.