Cracking Codes with Python: An Introduction to Building and Breaking Ciphers Kindle Edition

As a Python tutorial, it is superb - comprehensive, well organized and painless. Follow along with the exercises and you'll end up with a good working knowledge of the language. Each succeeding chapter introduces more and more complex and useful language constructs, each of which is identified in the accompanying text and clearly explained. Indeed, it is the use of constructs like lists and dictionaries that make Python the very valuable and powerful scripting tool that it is.As a Code Cracking tutorial, it is, as declared in the book sub-title, an "Introduction". You'll see how various algorithmic strategies can be used against comparatively simple ciphers. The techniques include frequency analysis, word pattern matching and dictionary tests for decrypted text.But the book is more about Learning Python than it is about Cracking Codes. Upon completing it you'll emerge a journeyman Python programmer and a novice cryptographer.

Full Disclosure: I solicited Mr. Sweigart for an eBook copy of this book for review purposes. This was AFTER purchasing the original Hacking Secret Ciphers book for Python 2 around 3 years ago and AFTER purchasing a physical copy of Cracking Codes immediately upon release based solely on my love for the previous installment. If it makes you feel any better, he got me the eBook months ago, and I'm dreadfully late on my review.I'm a huge fan of Mr. Sweigart's work. I found Hacking Secret Ciphers to be a brilliant primer on basic Python programming practices, and find that it has only been refined and updated in Cracking Codes. Many friends have expressed an interest in what I do and asked me where to begin to learn programming concepts, and I frequently point them toward Python and Mr. Sweigart's resources.Cracking Codes walks you through several different methods of encoding messages with different ciphers using the Python programming language. From a simple Caesar cipher all the way through an implementation of the textbook RSA cipher. He walks you through from basic data types and decision structures through loops, data structures, common Python modules, and other advanced concepts. You read from and write to files, and learn to powerfully process and transform text with Python.I frequently use Hacking Secret Ciphers/Cracking Codes and Automate The Boring Stuff as references for writing basic Python programs. They're outstanding resources, and it's a joy to go back through Cracking Codes, retype all the exercises, and troubleshoot them until they run. The diff tool on Mr. Sweigart's InventWithPython site is a godsend, and the ability to run the source code to see what my code should look like when it executes has helped me pass many a roadblock.I don't quite understand how every cipher works or why it's difficult to hack, but I do generally get what each program is doing at any given point, and you can, too. If you don't quite get cryptography, this is also a neat way to look under the hood and get some of the basic concepts. It's pretty wild to see a computer hack a cipher in seconds that would take a human hours, days, or months -- if they could solve it at all.An excellent and entertaining book of exercises. I wholeheartedly suggest it, especially for teens and adults interested in computer science and programming. Thank you for another great book, Mr. Sweigart!

I like the book itself and teaching Python through cryptography is definitely a different approach to the subject that I found to be entertaining. You can also tell the author cares about the subject and moves through teaching Python via simple and historical ciphers up to the more modern. The book does not go into OOP, but there are plenty of materials that cover it so that is forgivable especially as this format is written to be more available to a wider audience. It doesn't require the dedication of getting through some much more thorough texts such as Learning Python.I was very happy with the ebook edition that I received from the author at my request in order to provide a review. I ended up purchasing the printed version since I tutor an introductory programming course and the examples would be relevant, but far enough away from what they would be working on for assignments.Big disappointment! The paper is so thin and the ghosting is horrible. I've never gotten a printed book from No Starch that felt so cheaply made. You can see the words on the back of the page very clearly! I've received other materials from them released more recently and they didn't have this problem. I may end up returning it for this.

Prior to picking this book up I had made various attempts to learn how to program. I would go good for a while, but then I would get bored with it and move onto something else. The practice codes that other sources provide, just don't seem to hold interest due to them not really being useful. However, Cracking Codes with Python gets right into producing something that is comprehensive and useful. In this book you learn by doing. Then he walks you through line by line and explains everything in such a way that I gained an understanding of previously misunderstood concepts.

Decent content, should keep a beginner busy for some time. I picked project in there and modified it so it can decode and code stuff the way I like it and added a some what UI to it. Covers most of the basics, not very deeply though, but in my opinion good enough. Would recommend, but if ur looking into cyber security, look else where, as the encryption technique in here is really just practice for newer engineers. If your looking to start your python career somewhere and specifically cyber security, this is much better than the other books on the basics.

I would have loved to give 5 star but the bottom right corner came slightly damaged including cover. Outside that you can tell it is a new book.Having an interest in cryptography & Network Security, this book makes learning python more interesting & useful.Highly recommended.

Nice book with all concepts clearly explained

Good book to learn python off of.

What is boring at first glance is a way to be a coder

Well written and very informative book.

Ich bin total begeistert, sehr gutes Buch. Man kann ohne jegliche Vorkenntnisse in Python und in die Kryptographie einsteigen. Erst gibt es ein paar Grundkenntnisse Python, dann steigt der Autor aber auch schon mit einer Caesar Chifre ein und man lernt Python und Kryptographie parallel. Das geht dann hoch bis zur Substitutions Chifre. Natürlich kann der Autor in einem Buch für Anfänger nicht einen AES programmieren, aber wenn man es durchgearbeitet hat, kann man ja alleine weiter machen.

This book is constructed in such a way as to really learn about Python' manipulation of strings. Each chapter uses an excellent project to teach characteristics of the language. For anyone with an interest in codes and cyphers, this book really keeps your interest and enthusiasm high while learning programming. The explanations are well done. It gives the reader/programmer a sense of confidence with the new elements of the Python language.

Little disappointed. The techniques are out dated, the book even states don't use their examples because they no longer provide good security. For readers who want to learn past techniques for interest sake, this book is okay.