Text encoding is the process of converting characters into a format that computers can understand and manipulate. Different systems, like ASCII and UTF-8, define how letters, numbers, and symbols are represented in binary code. This allows computers to store, transmit, and display text accurately across various platforms and devices. When you type a message on your computer or smartphone, text encoding ensures that the characters you see on the screen match what you intended to write. Without proper encoding, text can become garbled or unreadable, making it essential for communication in our digital world.