Foreword: Computer Algebra in Coding Theory and Cryptography

Abstract

This issue of Applicable Algebra in Engineering, Communication and Computing is a follow-up to the Special Session “Computer Algebra in Coding Theory and Cryptography 2012”, hosted at 18th International Conference on Applications of Computer Algebra (ACA 2012) held at the Institute of Mathematics and Informatics at the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, June 25–28, 2012, Sofia, Bulgaria. Several of the papers were presented in that session either as a preliminar work or work in progress, either in their final version. Also some other papers were added by the postconference open call among other colleagueswho are interested in the combination/application of computer algebra, coding theory and/or cryptography. We want to dedicate this volume to Professor Stefan Dodunekov who passed away on August 5, 2012. Prof. Dodunekov was a specialist in coding theory and also the president of the Union of Bulgarian mathematicians and the director of the Institute of Mathematics and Informatics at the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences. He was one of the organizers of that Special Session at ACA 2012 and he was one of the mentors for the starting editorial work for this volume. This volume includes a selection of research articles applying symbolic and computational techniques from various fields (algebra in a broad sense, algebraic combinatorics, number theory, etc.) to the fields of coding theory and cryptography.