An encoding error is an error that occurs during the data encoding process. Depending on the nature of the error, the results of the coding error are variable. Coding errors occur for a wide variety of reasons with all types of technology, although there are various protections designed to minimize or prevent such errors.
woman holding a record
In encoding, data is transferred from one format to another. Encoding is often used to compress data so that it takes up less space, such as when a raw audio file is encoded to fit easily on a CD. In addition to encrypting for storage, data can also be encrypted for transmission; that same audio file, for example, can be encoded for incorporation into a live broadcast from a radio station. Coding is also used for encryption purposes, a technique used to protect data by ensuring that it can only be read by people with the correct decryption equipment.
Sometimes an error occurs during encoding because the original data itself is corrupted and the program doing the encoding is having difficulty processing it. Errors can also occur when a system’s memory is overused during the encoding process and is unable to process the encoding smoothly. Similarly, confusing commands issued to a program can disrupt the encoding process, as can events such as a power outage. It is also possible for a coding error to be random in nature with no apparent cause.
A content encoding error can be fatal. In such cases, the newly encrypted content cannot be accessed due to the magnitude of the error. The content may not be recognizable to the program that is to decode it, or the content may be so corrupted as a result of the encoding error that large blocks of data are missing and meaningless. For example, a video embedded in a web page may not play due to an encoding error.
Encoding errors can also cause glitches, such as skipping a CD, garbled sections of text, or other problems. In these cases, the error does not render the content completely unusable. Even so, it can be an obstacle for someone who wants to access the data.
Due to the risks of coding errors, people often make sure that the original data is backed up before proceeding with a coding project. This ensures that if an error occurs, data is not irreparably lost.
