21.8. Fixed Length Codes

Try these first

1. 1.

   What is Huffman coding used for?

   Hint

   Think about ways data can be represented more efficiently.

2. 2.

   Define a prefix code.

   Hint

   This helps ensure no confusion in decoding.

3. 3.

   What is the main goal of Huffman coding?

   • To send data lossily
   • To minimize data transmission size
   • To convert data to hexadecimal

   Hint

   Consider the meaning of compression.

4. 4.

   True or False: In Huffman coding, each letter must be represented by the same length of bits.

   • True
   • False

   Hint

   Think about what differentiates Huffman coding from fixed-length codes.

5. 5.

   Given a set of letters: P(0.3), Q(0.25), R(0.2), S(0.15), T(0.1), design an optimal Huffman tree and derive the encoding for each letter.

   Hint

   Always combine the two letters with the lowest frequencies first.

6. 6.

   Imagine you're designing a new communication protocol using Huffman coding. List potential challenges you might face in implementation.

   Hint

   Consider the operational aspects of encoding and decoding.