Full Characterization of Minimal Linear Codes as Cutting Blocking Sets

Abstract

In this paper, we first study in detail the relationship between minimal linear codes and cutting blocking sets, recently introduced by Bonini and Borello, and then completely characterize minimal linear codes as cutting blocking sets. As a direct result, minimal projective codes of dimension 3 and t-fold blocking sets with t ≥ 2 in projective planes are identical objects. Some bounds on the parameters of minimal codes are derived from this characterization. Using this new link between minimal codes and blocking sets, we also present new general primary and secondary constructions of minimal linear codes. As a result, infinite families of minimal linear codes not satisfying the Aschikhmin-Barg's condition are obtained. In addition to this, open problems on the parameters and the weight distributions of some generated linear codes are presented.