Method and system for identifying erased memory areas

A machine-implemented method, comprising:

• providing a first codeword, from a page of a memory, to a first decoder for decoding;
• when the first codeword is not decodable, identifying the page as being in a programmed state;
• and
• when the first codeword is successfully decoded:
• providing first decoded data of the first decoder to a second decoder for verification;
• and
• when the first decoded data is not verified, identifying the page as being in an erased state,
• wherein the identifying facilitates determining a last programmed page in a block of the memory without incurring additional time and processing during a soft decoding operation performed in response to a hard decode failure.

A data storage system, comprising:

• a memory;
• means for decoding a first codeword received from a page of the memory;
• means for verifying decoded data of the first codeword;
• and
• means for identifying the page of the memory as being in an erased state when the means for decoding the first codeword successfully decodes the first codeword and the means for verifying the decoded data does not verify the decoded data,
• wherein the means for identifying is configured to facilitate determining a last programmed page in a block of the memory without incurring additional time and processing during a soft decoding operation performed in response to a hard decode failure.