Linear code

A code of fixed length $n$ over a finite field $F$ which forms a subspace of the vector space $F^n$.

A linear code of rank $r$ may be represented by a generator matrix, an $(r \times n)$ matrix whose rows form a set of linearly independent code words. A generator matrix can be put in the form $G = (I_r | G_1)$ by row operaions, showing that a linear code is always systematic. The components of the code word corresponding to the columns of $G_1$ may be referred to as check digits.

As a linear code, a linear code $C$ has a dual $C^\perp$ consisting of all vectors orthogonal to every element of $C$. This is a linear code of rank $(n-r)$, and a basis for $C^\perp$ is a set of parity check vectors: a generator matrix for $C^\perp$ is a parity check matrix.

See Error-correcting code.

References

• Goldie, Charles M.; Pinch, Richard G.E. Communication theory, London Mathematical Society Student Texts. 20 Cambridge University Press (1991) ISBN 0-521-40456-8 Zbl 0746.94001
• van Lint, J.H., "Introduction to coding theory" (2nd ed.) Graduate Texts in Mathematics 86 Springer (1992) ISBN 3-540-54894-7 Zbl 0747.94018