About the book
Learn how to program in Python while making and breaking ciphers—algorithms used to create and send secret messages!
After a crash course in Python programming basics, you’ll learn to make, test, and hack programs that encrypt text with classical ciphers like the transposition cipher and Vigenère cipher. You’ll begin with simple programs for the reverse and Caesar ciphers and then work your way up to public key cryptography, the type of encryption used to secure today’s online transactions, including digital signatures, email, and Bitcoin.
Each program includes the full code and a line-by-line explanation of how things work. By the end of the book, you’ll have learned how to code in Python and you’ll have the clever programs to prove it!
You’ll also learn how to:
- Combine loops, variables, and flow control statements into real working programs
- Use dictionary files to instantly detect whether decrypted messages are valid English or gibberish
- Create test programs to make sure that your code encrypts and decrypts correctly
- Code (and hack!) a working example of the affine cipher, which uses modular arithmetic to encrypt a message
- Break ciphers with techniques such as brute-force and frequency analysis
There’s no better way to learn to code than to play with real programs. Cracking Codes with Python makes the learning fun!
Editions of Cracking Codes with Python
- Paperback
- ISBN 9781593278229
- EBook
- ISBN 9781593278694
Read an Excerpt
Learn how to program in Python while making and breaking ciphers—algorithms used to create and send secret messages!
After a crash course in Python programming basics, you’ll learn to make, test, and hack programs that encrypt text with classical ciphers like the transposition cipher and Vigenère cipher. You’ll begin with simple programs for the reverse and Caesar ciphers and then work your way up to public key cryptography, the type of encryption used to secure today’s online transactions, including digital signatures, email, and Bitcoin.
Each program includes the full code and a line-by-line explanation of how things work. By the end of the book, you’ll have learned how to code in Python and you’ll have the clever programs to prove it!
You’ll also learn how to:
- Combine loops, variables, and flow control statements into real working programs
- Use dictionary files to instantly detect whether decrypted messages are valid English or gibberish
- Create test programs to make sure that your code encrypts and decrypts correctly
- Code (and hack!) a working example of the affine cipher, which uses modular arithmetic to encrypt a message
- Break ciphers with techniques such as brute-force and frequency analysis
There’s no better way to learn to code than to play with real programs. Cracking Codes with Python makes the learning fun!
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Cracking Codes with Python about?
Learn how to program in Python while making and breaking ciphers—algorithms used to create and send secret messages!
After a crash course in Python programming basics, you’ll learn to make, test, and hack programs that encrypt text with classical ciphers like the transposition cipher and Vigenère cipher. You’ll begin with simple programs for the reverse and Caesar ciphers and then work your way up to public key cryptography, the type of encryption used to secure today’s online transactions, including digital signatures, email, and Bitcoin.
Each program includes the full code and a line-by-line explanation of how things work. By the end of the book, you’ll have learned how to code in Python and you’ll have the clever programs to prove it!
You’ll also learn how to:
- Combine loops, variables, and flow control statements into real working programs
- Use dictionary files to instantly detect whether decrypted messages are valid English or gibberish
- Create test programs to make sure that your code encrypts and decrypts correctly
- Code (and hack!) a working example of the affine cipher, which uses modular arithmetic to encrypt a message
- Break ciphers with techniques such as brute-force and frequency analysis
There’s no better way to learn to code than to play with real programs. Cracking Codes with Python makes the learning fun!
What core themes, tropes, or subjects are explored in Cracking Codes with Python?
Computing and Information Technology > Computer programming / software engineering > Programming and scripting languages: general
Where can I read a sample of Cracking Codes with Python?
You can read an official preview of the few pages here https://www.book2look.com/book/9781593278229
Who is/are the Author/s of the book Cracking Codes with Python?
Al Sweigart
Who is the Publisher of the book Cracking Codes with Python?
No Starch Press
What are the ISBN numbers for the physical and digital editions?
Cracking Codes with Python is available as paperback(ISBN 9781593278229) and ebook(ISBN 9781593278694)
Where can I buy Cracking Codes with Python online or support local independent bookshops?
You can buy Cracking Codes with Python from below
Where can I buy Cracking Codes with Python?