Laboratory 4: Implementing Columnar Transposition Cipher in Python
Objective:
Create a Python program that can encrypt and decrypt messages using the Columnar
Transposition Cipher technique. This exercise will enhance your understanding of string
manipulation, matrix operations, and basic encryption methods in Python.
Background:
The Columnar Transposition Cipher is a type of encryption where:
1. The message is written in rows according to a fixed "key" (number of columns).
2. Characters are read off column-by-column to form the encrypted message.
3. For decryption, the process is reversed to retrieve the original message.
For example:
● Plaintext: "Love is not blind."
● Key: 8 (number of columns)
● Encrypted Message: "Lndoo.vte__bilsi_n"
Task:
Write a Python program that performs the following steps:
1. Encrypt a Message: Implement the encryption process by arranging the characters in
rows and reading them off column by column.
2. Decrypt the Message: Rebuild the original message by reversing the columnar process
using the same key.
Instructions
Part 1: Encryption Process
1. Input the Plaintext and Key:
○ Prompt the user to enter a message and an integer key (number of columns).
○ Remove any spaces or special characters from the message to create a
continuous string.
2. Arrange Characters in a Grid:
○ Divide the message into rows based on the key (number of columns). Each row
will contain up to key characters.
○ If the last row has fewer characters than the key, pad the row with underscores _
to fill all columns.
3. Read Column by Column:
○ Start from the first column and move downwards, collecting each character in the
column.
○ Continue for each column until the end, skipping any underscores.
4. Display the Encrypted Message:
○ Concatenate the collected characters to display the encrypted message.
Part 2: Decryption Process
1. Calculate Rows and Columns:
○ Based on the message length and the key, determine the number of rows
required for decryption.
2. Draw the Matrix:
○ Arrange the ciphertext into columns and rows based on the key.
3. Fill in Characters:
○ Place each character from the ciphertext in the appropriate column, skipping any
padded characters at the end.
4. Retrieve Original Message:
○ Read the characters row by row to recreate the original message.
Example Usage
Input
Copy code
Enter the plaintext message: Love is not blind
Enter the key (number of columns): 8
Output
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Encrypted Message: Lndoo.vte__bilsi_n
Decrypted Message: Loveisnotblind
