The field of coding and information theory is rapidly advancing, with a focus on developing more efficient and reliable methods for data storage and transmission. Recent research has led to the creation of new codes, such as convertible codes and generalized quasi-cyclic LDPC codes, which offer improved performance and flexibility. Additionally, there have been significant advancements in the design of digital circuits, including the development of digital time-to-digital converters and timer queues. These innovations have the potential to greatly impact a wide range of applications, from 5G networks to DNA storage. Notably, papers such as 'On MDS Convertible Codes in the Merge Regime' and 'ORCAS Codes: A Flexible Generalization of Polar Codes with Low-Complexity Decoding' have made significant contributions to the field, introducing new constructions and decoding algorithms that achieve optimal performance. Overall, the field of coding and information theory is continuing to evolve, with a focus on developing more efficient, reliable, and flexible methods for data storage and transmission.