Rational power series, sequential codes and periodicity of sequences

Let R be a commutative ring. A power series f∈Rx]] with (eventually) periodic coefficients is rational. We show that the converse holds if and only if R is an integral extension over Z_m for some positive integer m. Let F be a field. We prove the equivalence between two versions of rationality in Fx₁,…,x_n]]. We extend Kronecker’s criterion for rationality in Fx]] to Fx₁,…,x_n]]. We introduce the notion of sequential code which is a natural generalization of cyclic and even constacyclic codes over a (not necessarily finite) field. A truncation of a cyclic code over F is both left and right sequential (bisequential). We prove that the converse holds if and only if F is algebraic over F_p for some prime p. Finally, we show that all sequential codes are obtained by a simple and explicit construction.