Encoding rules are guidelines that dictate how information is transformed into a specific format for storage or transmission. These rules ensure that data is represented consistently, allowing systems to interpret and process it correctly. For example, in computer science, encoding rules are crucial for converting text into binary code, which is the language that computers understand. Different encoding schemes, such as ASCII or UTF-8, define how characters are represented in digital form. Each scheme has its own set of rules for mapping characters to numerical values, enabling compatibility across various platforms and applications. Proper adherence to these encoding rules is essential for effective communication between systems.