A tool designed to compute the Hamming distance between two strings of equal length determines the number of positions at which the corresponding symbols differ. For example, comparing “karolin” and “kathrin” reveals a distance of 3, reflecting the differences at positions 2, 3, and 4.
This measurement plays a crucial role in various fields, including information theory, coding theory, and telecommunications. It provides a quantifiable metric for error detection and correction, enabling systems to identify and rectify data corruption. Historically rooted in the work of Richard Hamming at Bell Labs, this concept underpins essential techniques for ensuring data integrity in modern digital communication and storage.
