Low-weight codewords in cyclic codes

Abstract: We introduce a formula for determining the number of codewords of weight 2 in cyclic codes and provide results related to the count of codewords with weight 3. Additionally, we establish a recursive relationship for binary cyclic codes that connects their weight distribution to the number of solutions of associated systems of polynomial equations. This relationship allows for the computation of weight distributions from known solutions of systems of diagonal equations and vice versa, offering a new insight into the structure and properties of binary cyclic codes.