Hamming codeExtra, redundant bits added to stored or transmitted data for the purposes of {error detection and correction}. Named after the mathematician {Richard Hamming}, Hamming codes greatly improve the reliability of data, e.g. from distant space probes, where it is impractical, because of the long transmission delay, to correct errors by requesting retransmission. [Detail? Connection with {Hamming Distance}?] (2002-07-02)