code: def decode_array(input_array):
      
      codec, length, param, input_array = parse_header(input_array)
      return codec_dict[codec].decode(input_array, param)
docs: Parse the header of an input byte array and then decode using the input array,
      the codec and the appropirate parameter.
  
      :param input_array: the array to be decoded
      :return the decoded array