Abstract: Matrix multiplication is used to generate error detection and/or correction binary code bits from a binary input word. A matrix made up of columns and rows of bits set to binary "1"s and "0"s in a pattern conforming to the mathematical expression of a predetermined error detection and/or correction code algorithm is set into a read only memory. The input binary word is 512 bits (64 bytes), one matrix being provided for each of the bytes. The first byte of the 512 bit word is multiplied by its respective matrix providing a ten bit binary code word. Simple odd parity is computed on the first byte and the odd parity bit is appended to the binary code word, which are stored in an accumulator. The next byte is multiplied by its respective matrix to provide another ten bit binary code word, and a simple parity bit is also generated.