A
semantics encoding is a translation between
formal languages. For programmers, the most familiar form of encoding is the compilation of a programming language into machine code or byte-code. Conversion between document formats are also forms of encoding. Compilation of
TeX or
LaTeX documents to
PostScript are also commonly encountered encoding processes. Some high-level preprocessors such as
OCaml's
Camlp4 also involve encoding of a programming language into another.