PHEFACE

The emphasis throughout the book is on such basic concepts as sets,the probability measure associated with sets, sample space, random variables, information measure, and capacity. These concepts proceed fromset theory to probability theory and then to information and codingtheories. The application of the theory to such subjects as radardetection, optics, and linguistics was not undertaken. We make nopretension for "usefulness" and immediate application of informationtheory. From an educational standpoint, it appears, however, that thetopics discussed should provide a suitable training ground for communication scientists.

The most rewarding aspect of this undertaking has been the pleasureof learning about a new and fascinating frontier in communications. Byworking on this book, I came to appreciate fully many subtle points andingenious procedures set forth in the papers of the original contributorsto the literature. I trust this attempt to integrate these many contributions will prove of value. Despite pains taken by the author, inaccuracies, original or inherited, may be found. Nevertheless, I hope thereader will find this work an existence proof of Shannon's fundamentaltheorem; that "information" can be transmitted with a high degree ofreliability at a rate close to the channel capacity despite all forms of"noise."

At any rate, there is an eternal separation between what one strives forand what one actually achieves. As Leon von Montenaeken wrote,

La vie est breve,Un pen d'espoir,Un peu de reve,Et puisbonsoir.

Fazlollah M. Reza

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