Decoding that uses an extended Hamming code in one of the primary stages of static encoding uses a calculation of the r+1 Hamming redundant symbols for k input symbols from which Hamming redundant symbols are calculated, where r satisfies 2.sup.r-1-r.ltoreq.k<2.sup.r-r-1. This efficient method requires on the order of 2k+3r+1 XORs of input symbols to calculate the r+1 Hamming redundant symbols.