decoding
Making sense of
Decoding is the process of converting encoded information back into its original or usable form.
A computer decodes data; a spy decodes intercepted messages; a reader decodes words on a page into meaning.
The term applies broadly—from cryptography to linguistics to simply interpreting signals: I'm still decoding what she meant by that comment.
Solving secret communications
- encryptionConverting data into code
- decryptReverse encoding process
- plaintextUnencoded readable information
- ciphertextEncoded, unreadable message
key · algorithm · substitution · transposition · enigma · secret · hidden · message
What something signifies
- understandingMental comprehension of something
- comprehensionMental understanding of meaning
- contextCircumstances shaping meaning
- analysisMethodical study of parts
inference · nuance · subtext · implication · hermeneutics · exegesis · unpacking · reading
Present but inactive
- embeddingPlacing within surrounding mass
- vectorizationLoop-free array computation
- compressionForcing into smaller space
- reconstructionRebuilding after destruction
signal processing · pattern recognition · codec · bitstream · decompression · parsing · serialization · base64
Message-conveying cue
- messageTransmitted communication
- receiverOne who accepts transmission
- semioticsStudy of signs, symbols
- linguisticsScience of language structure
syntax · semantics · nonverbal · body language · tone · gesture · facial expression · subtext
Something hard to fathom
- riddlePuzzling question to solve
- mysterySomething unexplained or unknown
- escape roomLocked puzzle-solving venue
- clueSolving aid
cryptogram · brainteaser · whodunit · treasure hunt · scavenger hunt · secret message · hidden meaning · word puzzle
Solving secret communications
- BletchleyWWII cryptanalysis site
- EnigmaGerman encryption apparatus
- NSAFederal cryptologic intelligence agency
- cryptographerDesigner of secret codes
Alan Turing · crack · hack · pattern · frequency · intelligence · espionage · cryptology
codebreaking
Solving secret communications
- encryptionConverting data into code
- decryptReverse encoding process
- plaintextUnencoded readable information
ciphertext · key · algorithm · substitution · transposition · enigma · secret · hidden · message · concealment
meaning
What something signifies
- understandingMental comprehension of something
- comprehensionMental understanding of meaning
- contextCircumstances shaping meaning
analysis · inference · nuance · subtext · implication · hermeneutics · exegesis · unpacking · reading · parsing
latent
Present but inactive
- embeddingPlacing within surrounding mass
- vectorizationLoop-free array computation
- compressionForcing into smaller space
reconstruction · signal processing · pattern recognition · codec · bitstream · decompression · parsing · serialization · base64
signal
Message-conveying cue
- messageTransmitted communication
- receiverOne who accepts transmission
- semioticsStudy of signs, symbols
linguistics · syntax · semantics · nonverbal · body language · tone · gesture · facial expression · subtext · context clues
enigma
Something hard to fathom
- riddlePuzzling question to solve
- mysterySomething unexplained or unknown
- escape roomLocked puzzle-solving venue
clue · cryptogram · brainteaser · whodunit · treasure hunt · scavenger hunt · secret message · hidden meaning · word puzzle
codebreaking
Solving secret communications
- BletchleyWWII cryptanalysis site
- EnigmaGerman encryption apparatus
- NSAFederal cryptologic intelligence agency
Alan Turing · cryptographer · crack · hack · pattern · frequency · intelligence · espionage · cryptology · reverse-engineering
- processingprocessing, batch processing, data processing, parallel processing, real-time processing
- data processingnormalization, data entry, standardization, scaling, data storage
- NLPtokenization, natural language processing, NLP, parsing, stemming
- semioticssign, signifier, signified, symbol, signification
- data formatsJSON, XML, CSV, YAML, HTML
- error correctionchecksum, CRC, error correction, error detection, FEC
decodingencoding
Converting data to format
encrypting · ciphering · coding · enciphering · scrambling
decodingencrypting
Scrambling data for secrecy
encoding · concealing · hiding · cloaking · masking
decodingencoding
Converting data to format
obfuscating · obscuring · mystifying · garbling · complicating