Coding Theory - A First Course

All these students are familiar with linear algebra and have at least a rudimentary knowledge of probability theory. More importantly, it is assumed here that they are familiar with the theory of finite fields and with elementary number theory. Clearly the latter is not the case at many universities. It is for this reason that a large appendix has been added (Appendix A), containing all the necessary prerequisites with regard to finite field theory and elementary number theory.

All chapters contain exercises that we urge the students to solve. Working at these problems seems to be the only way to master this field. As a service to the student that is stranded with a problem or to give a student a chance to look at a (possibly different) solution, all problems are completely worked out in Appendix C.