A method constructs a code, wherein the code is a large-girth quasi-cyclic low-density parity-check code. A base matrix is selected for the code. A cost matrix corresponding to the base matrix is determined. A single element in the base is changed repeatedly maximize a reduction in cost. A parity check matrix is constructing for the code from the base matrix when the cost is zero, and an information block is encoded as a code word using the parity check matrix in an encoder.