A procedure of optimal symbol-by-symbol decoding of binary block codes char
acterized by the property of direct sum for dual codes is proposed. It is s
hown that this procedure requires less arithmetic operations and memory vol
ume as compared with known procedures of symbol-by-symbol decoding. The pro
cedure can be applied to decoding a wide family of binary block codes (cycl
ic codes, product-codes, and squaring construction codes).