Replication decoding revisited

Replication decoding is intended to exploit the redundancy of a sequence of symbols so as to perform error correction. Mutual dependence, as implied by redundancy, enables computing several replicas of each symbol. Replication decoding optimally takes account of all such replicas. Its application to linear codes is reviewed. Replication decoding can also be used for ´soft codes´, a probabilistic extension of redundant codes. As an example, its possible role in the mechanisms which maintain the genetic message borne by the DNA molecule is considered.