CODECs, short for coder-decoder, are interface components used to encode analog signals into digital format for transmission and decode digital signals back into analog format for reproduction. CODECs are commonly used in audio and video applications to digitize analog audio signals from microphones, musical instruments, or audio sources and convert digital audio files into analog signals for playback through speakers or headphones. They are also used in telecommunications systems, digital voice recorders, and multimedia devices to encode and decode voice and video signals for transmission and storage.