Abstract: An apparatus and method as disclosed for converting an input data character stream into a variable length encoded data stream in a data compression system. The data compression system includes a history array means. The history array means has a plurality of entries and each entry of the history array means is for storing a portion of the input data stream. The method for converting the input data character stream includes the following steps. Performing a search in a history array means for the longest data string which matches the input data string. If the matching data string is found within the history buffer means, the next step includes encoding the longest matching data string found by appending to the encoded data stream a tag indicating the longest matching data string was found and a string substitution code.

Abstract: An apparatus and/or method for generating parity digits of digital information (data) in a digital communication system is disclosed. The communication system (8) is for transferring a plurality of data intervals from an originating data source (12) to a data sink (13). Each data interval comprises one or more blocks of data and each block contains one or more bytes of data. The communication system (8) includes a temporary storage means (24) for holding the data for a limited period. Included are means for transferring (14, 40) one or more data intervals from the data source (12) to the temporary storage means (24) and means for transferring (22, 40) one of the data intervals from the temporary storage means (24) to the data sink (13) including means for calculating (72) error correcting code words associated with each data interval and means for storing (16) the error correcting code words for further processing.