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Coding theory exercises using MAGMA, I

Let $ \mathbb{F}$ be a finite field. Consider a short exact sequence of vector spaces

$\displaystyle 0 \rightarrow
\mathbb{F}^k \stackrel{\gamma}{\rightarrow}
\mathbb{F}^n \stackrel{\theta}{\rightarrow}
\mathbb{F}^{n-k} \rightarrow
0.
$

A linear code is the image of $ \gamma$. Since the sequence is exact, a vector $ v\in \mathbb{F}^n$ is a codeword if and only if $ \theta(v)=0$. If $ \mathbb{F}^i$ is given the usual standard vector space basis then the matrix of $ \gamma$ is the generating matrix and the matrix of $ \theta$ is the parity check matrix.



Subsections

David Joyner 2002-08-23