Codes and Ciphers (Collins Need to Know?) - Softcover

Sean Callery

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0007228031 ISBN 13: 9780007228034

Publisher: Collins, 2006

Synopsis

This one-stop practical guide will show you how to make and break codes. It comes in a handy two-colour format, and includes fascinating historical examples as well as practical tips.

Why do we use codes? Why do we need them? From the moment we began communicating, we have looked for ways to make our messages concise and clear; but with the advent of wars and trading, it has been necessary to find ways to keep some of that communication secret.

This book touches on everything from the smoke signals used by the Native Americans to the encryption devices used by government agencies and the military. As well as covering the history of the development of codes and ciphers, it also includes practical information and advice on how to make codes (whether by pencil and paper, or by computer) and, more importantly, how to break them!

Topics covered include: Native American smoke signals; masonic signals; flags and semaphore; morse code; Braille; ASCII computer language; letter substitution; computer algorithms; the role of codes and codebreaking through history, including the American Civil War and the First and Second World Wars.

About this title

Synopsis:

From the history of codemaking to practical examples and tips for cracking your own codes, "Need to Know? - Codes and Ciphers" covers everything you have ever wanted to know about this area in a clear and easy to understand way. Why do we use codes? Why do we need them? From the moment we began communicating, we have looked for ways to make our messages concise and clear; but with the advent of wars and trading, it has been necessary to find ways to keep some of that communication secret. "Need to Know? - Codes and Ciphers" touches on everything from the smoke signals used by the Native Americans to the encryption devices used by government agencies and the military. As well as covering the history of the development of codes and ciphers, this book will also have practical information and advice on how to make codes (whether by pencil and paper, or by computer) and, more importantly, how to break codes!

The topics covered are: Native American smoke signals, Masonic signals, flags, and semaphore; Morse code, Braille, ASCII computer language; Letter substitution, both mono-alphabetic and poly-alphabetic; Computer algorithms; The role of codes and ciphers throughout history, for example the American Civil War, the First and Second World Wars; The development of code-breaking devices such as the Enigma machine, which was developed by the Allies during the Second World War to decipher German communications.

About this edition

• Publisher: Collins
• Publication date: 2006
• ISBN 10: 0007228031
• ISBN 13: 9780007228034
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 192