A data processing method and apparatus. The data process method includes: determining, by a transmitting node, a code block length N0 for encoding an information bit sequence to be transmitted according to a data characteristic for representing the information bit sequence to be transmitted and a preset parameter corresponding to the data characteristic; performing, by the transmitting node, polar encoding on the information bit sequence to be transmitted according to the code block length N0; and transmitting, by the transmitting node, a code block obtained through the polar encoding to a receiving node.