Variable-length code

Explanation or usage

Different code lengths let a scheme use fewer symbols for some characters than others. Efficiency depends on character frequencies and the full transmission rules, including how code boundaries are identified, so character count alone does not determine total cost. Morse is a useful introductory example, but it is not a fixed-width binary character code.

Common misunderstandings

Every character must use the same number of signals.

In Code

General context reviewed · book attribution and sources pending

Compare code lengths and counting; dot-dash strings alone do not necessarily specify a complete Morse protocol.