Mercurial > public > enigma
diff README.txt @ 21:ee1c84475eda
Added a README and an example program.
author | Brian Neal <bgneal@gmail.com> |
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date | Mon, 28 May 2012 16:37:22 -0500 |
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children | 85d222bef44d |
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--- /dev/null Thu Jan 01 00:00:00 1970 +0000 +++ b/README.txt Mon May 28 16:37:22 2012 -0500 @@ -0,0 +1,159 @@ +========= +Py-Enigma +========= +A historically accurate Enigma Machine library written in Python 3 +------------------------------------------------------------------ + +:Author: Brian Neal <bgneal@gmail.com> +:Version: 0.1 +:Date: May 28, 2012 +:Home Page: https://bitbucket.org/bgneal/enigma/ +:License: MIT License (see LICENSE.txt) +:Support: https://bitbucket.org/bgneal/enigma/issues + + +Overview +-------- + +**Py-Enigma** is a Python 3 library for simulating the `Enigma machines`_ used by +the German armed forces (Wehrmacht) during World War 2. Py-Enigma makes it +possible to both encrypt and decrypt messages that can be read by, or written +to, actual Enigma machines used by the German army (Heer), air force +(Luftwaffe), and navy (Kriegsmarine). + +It is my hope that library will be useful to Enigma enthusiasts, historians, and +students interested in cryptography. + +Py-Enigma strives to be Pythonic, easy to use, comes with unit tests, and +(coming soon) documentation. + + +Scope +----- + +The current scope of Py-Enigma is to simulate Wehrmacht Enigma machines. +Simulation of other Enigmas, such as the various commercial, railroad, foreign, +and Abwher (Military Intelligence) models may come later if there is enough +interest and data available. + +Currently, Py-Enigma can simulate the 3 and 4 rotor Enigma machines used by the +German army, navy, and air force. + + +Quick Example +------------- + +This example shows how the library can be used to decode a message using the +procedure by employed the German army:: + + from enigma.machine import EnigmaMachine + + # setup machine according to specs from a daily key sheet: + + machine = EnigmaMachine.from_key_sheet( + rotors='II IV V', + reflector='B', + ring_settings=[1, 20, 11], + plugboard_settings='AV BS CG DL FU HZ IN KM OW RX') + + # set machine initial starting position + machine.set_display('WXC') + + # decrypt the message key + msg_key = machine.process_text('KCH') + + # decrypt the cipher text with the unencrypted message key + machine.set_display(msg_key) + + ciphertext = 'NIBLFMYMLLUFWCASCSSNVHAZ' + plaintext = machine.process_text(ciphertext) + + print(plaintext) + +This program prints:: + + THEXRUSSIANSXAREXCOMINGX + + +Requirements +------------ + +Py-Enigma is written in Python_, specifically Python 3. It has no other +requirements or dependencies. + + +Project Status +-------------- + +This project is very new and is considered alpha software. However at even this +stage it is possible to encrypt and decrypt authentic Enigma messages. + + +Installation +------------ + +After the project gets a bit more mature I will add Py-Enigma to the `Python +Package Index`_ (PyPI). In the meantime, you may download a tarball or .zip file +of the latest code using the "get source" link on the `Py-Enigma Bitbucket +page`_. Alternatively if you use Mercurial_, you can clone the repository with +the following command:: + + $ hg clone https://bitbucket.org/bgneal/enigma + +In the very near future I will provide a ``setup.py`` script that will allow you +to install Py-Enigma. For the time being, just place the ``enigma`` directory on +your ``PYTHONPATH``. + +Documentation +------------- + +I want to use Py-Enigma as a chance to learn Sphinx_, so you can expect to see +some nicely formatted documentation coming soon. In the meantime, please read +the source code. I commented it heavily so I could understand how the Enigma +machine works. + +Support +------- + +Support is provided at the `issue tracker`_ at the `Py-Enigma Bitbucket page`_. +If you have general questions or comments, please feel free to email me (address +at the top of this file). + +And please, if you use Py-Enigma for anything, even if it is just learning, +please let me know! + + +Acknowledgements & References +----------------------------- + +This software would not have been possible without the thorough and detailed +descriptions of the Enigma machine on Dirk Rijmenants' incredible `Cipher +Machines and Cryptology website`_. In particular, his `Technical Details of the +Enigma Machine`_ page was a gold mine of information. + +Dirk has also written an `Enigma simulator`_ in Visual Basic. Although I did not +look at his source code, I did use his simulator to check the operation of +Py-Enigma. + +I would also like to recommend the photos and video at Dr. Thomas B. Perera's +`Enigma Museum`_. + +Another good website is `The Enigma and the Bombe`_ by Graham Ellsbury. + +A nice video which shows the basic components and operation of the Enigma +Machine is on YouTube: `Nadia Baker & Enigma demo`_. + + +.. _Enigma machines: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Enigma_machine +.. _Python: http://www.python.org +.. _Python Package Index: http://pypi.python.org/pypi +.. _Py-Enigma Bitbucket page: https://bitbucket.org/bgneal/enigma +.. _Mercurial: http://mercurial.selenic.com/ +.. _Sphinx: http://sphinx.pocoo.org/ +.. _issue tracker: https://bitbucket.org/bgneal/enigma/issues +.. _Cipher Machines and Cryptology website: http://users.telenet.be/d.rijmenants/index.htm +.. _Technical Details of the Enigma Machine: http://users.telenet.be/d.rijmenants/en/enigmatech.htm +.. _Enigma simulator: http://users.telenet.be/d.rijmenants/en/enigmasim.htm +.. _Enigma Museum: http://w1tp.com/enigma/ +.. _The Enigma and the Bombe: http://www.ellsbury.com/enigmabombe.htm +.. _Nadia Baker & Enigma demo: http://youtu.be/HBHYAzuVeWc