Binary data representing a code word of an error-correcting code is used for calculating a syndrome, wherein a given portion of the binary data comprises k groups of data bits and represents a field element of the finite field GF(p.sup.k), p being an odd prime number, the field element comprising k coefficients in accordance with a polynomial basis representation, each group of data bits of the given portion representing a corresponding one of the k coefficients. The given portion, is stored in a first general purpose register and is processed such that the k groups of data bits of the given portion are processed in parallel; determining whether the syndrome is equal to zero; and detecting and correcting errors in the binary data if the syndrome is not equal to zero.