DATA PROCESSING APPARATUS AND METHOD

A code concatenating unit incorporates carry signals in a retained remaining code, and couples thereto an inputted variable length code to generate a concatenated code. An undefined code length detection unit, and first to third computation units acquire the code length of a defined code portion that is not influenced by the carry signal and output the same. As long as the whole of the concatenated code is an undefined code, a cumulative addition/subtraction unit adds cumulatively its code length, and a code generation unit generates and outputs a predetermined defined code with the cumulative value as its code length.