# Mathematical Theory of Communication  Paper by Claude Shannon - The *information* source {produces a message}. - The *transmitter* {encodes the message} into {a form capable of being sent as a signal}. - The *channel* is the {medium through which the signal passes}. - The *noise source* represents the {distortions and corruptions} that afflict the signal on its way to the receiver. - The *receiver* {decodes the message}, reversing the action of the transmitter. - The *destination* is the {recipient of the message}.