Error detection is an important consideration for the designers of embedded systems. When the computer in your spacecraft sends a message to the main engine to shut off, it is important to make sure the message is received correctly. You want to make sure it can tell the difference between commands to, turn on, turn off, and self destruct. You might choose to use a “standard CRC algorithm” to guarantee the integrity of your data transmission. However, you might be surprised to find out how many “standard algorithms” there are. Here is some information to help you choose your implementation wisely.