Comma-free code

A comma-free code is a code constructed so that any partial code word, beginning at the start of a code word but terminating prior to the end of that code word, is not a valid code word.

Note 1: The comma-free property permits the proper framing of transmitted code words when (a) external synchronization is provided to identify the start of the first code word in a sequence of code words and (b) no uncorrected errors occur in the symbol stream.

Note 2: Examples of comma-free are the variable-length Huffman codes. Synonym prefix-free code., prefix code.

Source: from Federal Standard 1037C