This introduction to basic coding techniques uses examples to explain fundamental concepts and their applications. Complex mathematics are kept to a minimum. Drawing from digital communications and information theory, the book emphasizes the selection of appropriate codes and the design of decoders. Chapters cover convolution codes, linear block codes, cyclic codes, finite field arithmetic, BCH codes, Reed Solomon codes, performance calculations for block codes, multistage coding, and iterative coding. Sweeney teaches at the University of Surrey.