Digital audio encoding is the process of converting sound into a digital format that can be easily stored, transmitted, and played back by electronic devices. This involves sampling the audio signal at specific intervals and quantizing the amplitude of the sound waves into binary data. Common encoding formats include MP3, WAV, and AAC, each offering different balances of sound quality and file size. The encoded audio can be compressed to reduce its file size, making it more efficient for storage and streaming. Compression techniques can be either lossless, preserving all original audio data, or lossy, which sacrifices some quality for smaller file sizes. This allows for easier sharing and playback on various devices, such as smartphones and computers.