It provides a method for encoding a set of elements by using components defining the structure of each of the set of elements, wherein each element comprises data structure information and at least one data value. The method comprises the steps of: selecting a current element for encoding; determining whether the current element has the same data structure information as a previously encoded element; in the negative, encoding the data structure information of the current element and the at least one data value of the current element; and in the affirmative, encoding the at least one data value of the current element and providing an indication value associated with the current element indicating the current element has the same data structure information as said previously encoded element. The method is used to reduce the encoding redundancy of the structure information.