representing

Representing is the act of presenting, depicting, or standing for something or someone. In everyday usage, a person may be representing a client in a legal matter, or a diplomat may be representing a country in negotiations. In the arts, representational work aims to depict subjects as they appear in the real world, as opposed to abstract or non-representational forms.

In mathematics and logic, representation refers to the way a concept, object, or relation is encoded within a framework or model. A representation maps elements from one domain to another, preserving certain structures or properties. Examples include representing numbers with symbols, or describing a graph by an adjacency matrix.

In computing and information theory, data representation concerns how information is encoded for storage and processing, such as using binary digits, character encodings, or more complex schemas. The choice of representation affects efficiency, accuracy, and interpretability.

In linguistics and semiotics, representation concerns signs and symbols that stand for objects, ideas, or states of affairs. The study of how signs convey meaning touches on reference, interpretation, and the relationship between signifier and signified.

In philosophy of mind, representational theories hold that mental states represent the world, encoding information about reality and guiding behavior.

Across disciplines, representation involves abstraction, mapping, and the use of symbols to stand in for entities, properties, or relations. The study of representation intersects epistemology, ontology, cognitive science, and cultural theory.