Selected Unsolved Problems in Coding Theory - (Applied and Numerical Harmonic Analysis) by David Joyner & Jon-Lark Kim (Hardcover)

About the Book

Book Synopsis

This original monograph investigates several unsolved problems that currently exist in coding theory. A highly relevant branch of mathematical computer science, the theory of error-correcting codes is concerned with reliably transmitting data over a 'noisy' channel. Despite its fairly long history and consistent prominence, the field still contains interesting problems that have resisted solution by some of the most prominent mathematicians of recent decades.

Employing SAGE--a free open-source mathematics software system--to illustrate ideas, this book is intended for graduate students and researchers in algebraic coding theory, especially those who are interested in finding some current unsolved problems. Familiarity with concepts in algebra, number theory, and modular forms is assumed. The work may be used as supplementary reading material in a graduate course on coding theory or for self-study.

From the Back Cover

Using an original mode of presentation and emphasizing the computational nature of the subject, this book explores a number of the unsolved problems that continue to exist in coding theory. A well-established and still highly relevant branch of mathematics, the theory of error-correcting codes is concerned with reliably transmitting data over a 'noisy' channel. Despite its frequent use in a range of contexts--the first close-up pictures of the surface of Mars, taken by the NASA spacecraft Mariner 9, were transmitted back to Earth using a Reed-Muller code--the subject contains interesting problems that have to date resisted solution by some of the most prominent mathematicians of recent decades.

Employing SAGE--a free open-source mathematics software system--to illustrate their ideas, the authors begin by providing background on linear block codes and introducing some of the special families of codes explored in later chapters, such as quadratic residue and algebraic-geometric codes. Also surveyed is the theory that intersects self-dual codes, lattices, and invariant theory, which leads to an intriguing analogy between the Duursma zeta function and the zeta function attached to an algebraic curve over a finite field. The authors then examine a connection between the theory of block designs and the Assmus-Mattson theorem and scrutinize the knotty problem of finding a non-trivial estimate for the number of solutions over a finite field to a hyperelliptic polynomial equation of "small" degree, as well as the best asymptotic bounds for a binary linear block code. Finally, some of the more mysterious aspects relating modular forms and algebraic-geometric codes are discussed.

Selected Unsolved Problems in Coding Theory is intended for graduate students and researchers in algebraic coding theory, especially those who are interested in finding current unsolved problems. Familiarity with concepts in algebra, number theory, andmodular forms is assumed. The work may be used as supplementary reading material in a graduate course on coding theory or for self-study.

Review Quotes

From the reviews:

"This book presents a good number of unsolved problems for those who are interested in the mathematics of the theory of error-correcting codes. It will also be of interest to coding-theorists interested in knowing how to use SAGE to do certain computations with error-correcting codes. ... Overall, the book is a treat for coding-theorists in both theoretical and practical aspects." (Bal Kishan Dass, Mathematical Reviews, Issue 2012 i)

"This is a book for mathematicians interested in learning, in a pleasant and instructive way, some main topics of coding theory. It is also a book for coding theorists interested in learning the program SAGE to perform computations with error-correcting codes. ... the book is interesting and enjoyable to read, and offers a good opportunity to learn about some of the most fascinating aspects of the mathematical theory of codes. It is also a good source for learning SAGE in a useful and entertaining way." (Carlos Munuera, Zentralblatt MATH, Vol. 1239, 2012)