Digitally transmitted information is a representation of input that is:

The correct answer is that digitally transmitted information is a representation of input that is encoded. Encoding is the process of converting data from its original format into a digital format that can be easily transmitted and processed by computers and other digital systems. This involves taking various forms of information, such as audio, video, text, or images, and transforming them into a binary format (ones and zeros) that can be stored or transmitted over digital networks.

When information is encoded, essential characteristics are preserved, allowing for accurate reproduction when the data is later decoded. This process ensures that the data retains its integrity and can be efficiently handled by digital devices throughout its journey, whether across a local network or the internet.

In contrast, decoding refers to the process of converting encoded information back to its original form, processing entails manipulating or analyzing data to extract insights or perform computations, and sampling is specifically related to converting analog signals into a digital format by taking measurement samples at defined intervals. These concepts, while related to data transmission, do not define the initial representation of input in a digital context as encoding does.