Elias coding explained

Elias coding is a term used for one of two types of lossless coding schemes used in digital communications:

• Shannon–Fano–Elias coding, a precursor to arithmetic coding, in which probabilities are used to determine codewords
• Universal coding using one of Elias' three universal codes, each with predetermined codewords:
  • Elias delta coding
  • Elias gamma coding
  • Elias omega coding