Decoding encoded data

A method for decoding encoded data, comprising:

• receiving encoded data that is encoded by replacing each of a plurality of characters with one of a plurality of bit strings corresponding to the character;
• recording, on the basis of definition information defining a plurality of bit lengths of the bit strings each corresponding to one of the plurality of characters, at least one of the plurality of characters as corresponding to each of the plurality of bit lengths;
• generating decode information based on the number of characters recorded, wherein the decode information comprises bit string information for sorting the plurality of bit strings in a bit length order that is a predetermined order associated with bit lengths;
• and
• in response to receiving a particular bit length among the plurality of bit lengths, generating character information in which the plurality of characters are sorted in the bit length order by inserting a character corresponding to the particular bit length into a position corresponding to the particular bit length in an array in which at least one of the plurality of bit lengths, wherein the particular bit length and a previously received bit length are sorted in the bit length order.