Geocoding is the process of converting addresses or place names into geographic coordinates, such as latitude and longitude. This allows computers and mapping software to pinpoint specific locations on a map. For example, when you enter an address into a navigation app, geocoding helps the app determine where that address is located in the real world. Reverse geocoding is the opposite process, where geographic coordinates are converted back into a human-readable address. This is useful for applications that need to display the address of a location based on its coordinates, such as in mapping services like Google Maps or OpenStreetMap.