The init function init_rs returns a pointer to a rs decoder structure, which holds the necessary information for encoding, decoding and error correction with the given polynomial. It either uses an existing matching decoder or creates a new one. On creation all the lookup tables for fast en/decoding are created. The function may take a while, so make sure not to call it in critical code paths.

/* the Reed Solomon control structure */
static struct rs_control *rs_decoder;

/* Symbolsize is 10 (bits)
 * Primitve polynomial is x^10+x^3+1
 * first consecutive root is 0
 * primitve element to generate roots = 1
 * generator polinomial degree (number of roots) = 6
 */
rs_decoder = init_rs (10, 0x409, 0, 1, 6);