Welcome to the repository for my COMP424 Assignment 1 project! This project focuses on deciphering a combination of simple shift and columnar transposition ciphers applied to a given ciphertext. The decryption process is designed to determine if a student is prepared for a test based on selected features.
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decipher.py: The main Python script containing the implementation of the deciphering process.
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dictionary.txt: A text file containing a list of words used for reference in the deciphering process.
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Ensure that you have Python installed on your system.
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Clone this repository to your local machine.
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Navigate to the project directory.
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Run the Python script.
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The final deciphered text will be displayed if the criteria for test preparedness are met.
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Simple Shift Cipher Decryption: Deciphers the initial text using a simple shift cipher with a variable number of shifts.
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Columnar Transposition Cipher Decryption: Applies decryption using a columnar transposition cipher with multiple potential keys.
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Read Dictionary: Loads a list of words from the provided "Dictionary.txt" file.
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Frequency Analysis: Identifies the most frequently occurring characters in the ciphertext to determine potential shifts for the simple shift cipher.
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Deciphering Attempts: Conducts deciphering attempts using potential shifts and keys for both the simple shift and columnar transposition ciphers.
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Word Splitting: Applies word splitting techniques to evaluate the validity of potential deciphered texts.
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Output: Displays the final deciphered text that meets the specified criteria for test preparedness.
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The script is designed to be versatile, and you can modify the ciphertext and the list of common characters according to your specific use case.
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Feel free to explore and enhance the project based on your cryptographic interests and requirements!
Happy deciphering! 🕵️♂️🔐