An optimum method of coding an ensemble of messages consisting of a finite number of members is developed. A minimum-redundancy
code is one constructed in such a way that the average number of coding digits per message is minimized.
Decimal classification: R531.1. Original manuscript received by the Institute, December 6, 1951.
An erratum to this article is available at http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/BF02839372.