A codec is a standard for compressing data for transmission and decompressing data that it receives.

Codec is a combination of the words “compression” and “decompression”, or alternatively, “compressor” and “decompressor” or “code” and “decode”.

For example, a raw audio file will be compressed into an MP3 when encoding and decoded by MP3 players during playback.

There are many different types of codecs that are used for different types of compressed file. For example, Windows Media Player and other music player apps use codecs to play and create media files.