This document provides an introduction to data communication and transmission. It defines data and describes how data is communicated from a source to a receiver. It explains the components of a data communication system including the message, sender, receiver, medium, and protocols. Protocols are defined as sets of rules that govern communication and their functions like data sequencing, routing, formatting, flow control, error control, and security are described. The modes of data transmission - simplex, half-duplex, and full-duplex - are defined. Serial and parallel transmission methods are also explained along with asynchronous and synchronous serial transmission types.