What is the device called that makes a message readable to the recipient?

• A. Decoder
• B. Encoder
• C. Transmitter
• D. Modulator

Answer: (A)

Decoding is the process that turns a received, encoded signal back into something the recipient can understand. In communication, the message is first encoded into a signal for transmission; the decoder on the receiving end reverses that process, restoring the original information so it becomes readable. For example, a digital message might be encoded into binary and then possibly compressed or encrypted, and the decoder reverses those steps to produce readable text. The other roles are the encoder (which prepares the message for sending), the transmitter (which sends the signal), and the modulator (which shapes the signal for transmission). So the device that makes the message readable to the recipient is the decoder.