Foundations of the Theory of Algebraic Function Fields.- Algebraic Geometry Codes.- Extensions of Algebraic Function Fields.- Differentials of Algebraic Function Fields.- Algebraic Function Fields over Finite Constant Fields.- Examples of Algebraic Function Fields.- Asymptotic Bounds for the Number of Rational Places.- More about Algebraic Geometry Codes.- Subfield Subcodes and Trace Codes.

This book links two subjects: algebraic geometry and coding theory. It uses a novel approach based on the theory of algebraic function fields. Coverage includes the Riemann-Rock theorem, zeta functions and Hasse-Weil's theorem as well as Goppa' s algebraic-geometric codes and other traditional codes. It will be useful to researchers in algebraic geometry and coding theory and computer scientists and engineers in information transmission.