Communication is the process of exchanging information. People communicate to convey their thoughts, ideas, and feelings to others. The process of communication is inherent to all human life and includes verbal, nonverbal (body language), print, and electronic processes.

All electronic communication systems consist of three basic components: a transmitter, a communication channel (medium), and a receiver. Messages are converted to electrical signals and sent over electrical or fiber-optic cable or free space to a receiver. Attenuation (weakening) and noise can interfere with transmission.

Electronic communication is classified as (1) one-way (simplex) or two-way (full duplex or half duplex) transmissions and (2) analog or digital signals. Analog signals are smoothly varying, continuous signals. Digital signals are discrete, two-state (on/off) codes. Electronic signals are often changed from analog to digital and vice versa. Before transmission, electronic signals are known as baseband signals.

The four major electronic specialties are computers, communication, industrial control, and instrumentation. There are many job opportunities in the field of electronic communication.