Near perfect nonlinear functions (Q2848807)

Perfect nonlinear functions (PNFs) from an abelian group of order \(n\) to an abelian group of order \(m\) can exist only if \(m\) divides \(n\). Highly nonlinear mappings when \(n\) is not divisible by \(m\) have earlier been studied by \textit{C. Carlet} and \textit{C. Ding} [J. Complexity 20, No. 2--3, 205--244 (2004; Zbl 1053.94011)]. That work is here continued via the introduction of near perfect nonlinear functions (NPNFs), which in a formal sense are as nonlinear as possible. Constructions of NPNFs are presented, and infinite families of NPNFs are obtained.