decode

Decode is the process of converting coded or signals into a form that can be understood. In communications and data storage, decoding reverses an encoding step that was applied to a message or signal to ensure efficient transmission or concealment. Decoding seeks to recover the original content, structure, or meaning from a representation that may be altered by compression, encryption, modulation, or error-correcting processes. The term is often paired with encoding, the process of converting into the coded form.

In information technology, decoders implement algorithms to reverse such transformations. Examples include decoding a digital video stream, Base64-encoded data, or a radio signal using a demodulator and error-correcting code. Incorrect or lossy decoding can introduce errors or miss the original data. Some decoders also perform channel coding and error detection to improve reliability.

In biology, decoding describes translating genetic information from mRNA into a sequence of amino acids. The genetic code assigns each codon of three nucleotides to a specific amino acid or to a stop signal, and ribosomes, assisted by transfer RNA, synthesize proteins accordingly. This biological decoding is a fundamental step in gene expression.

In reading and cognitive science, decoding refers to the ability to interpret written text by mapping letters and patterns to spoken language. In cryptography, decoding may refer to decrypting a coded message or breaking a cipher, depending on context. Across domains, decoding relies on prior knowledge, reference frameworks, and error-handling to reconstruct the intended information.