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ROT13 Method
This page was last reviewed on Jul 31, 2022.
Dot Net Perls
ROT13. The ROT13 algorithm obscures text—it does not encrypt the text. The algorithm shifts each character back, or forward, 13 places.
Cipher code. ROT13 is a cipher algorithm that can deter unwanted examination. We implement it with Python—several Python language features are needed.
Example. We define a method called rot13(). We use the for-loop to iterate over the string characters. And then we call the ord() built-in function.
for
ord
So We compare each integer representation against lowercase and uppercase letters. We subtract or add 13 to shift characters.
And We append to the result string the character representation of the integer. We call chr() to do this.
def rot13(s): result = "" # Loop over characters. for v in s: # Convert to number with ord. c = ord(v) # Shift number back or forward. if c >= ord('a') and c <= ord('z'): if c > ord('m'): c -= 13 else: c += 13 elif c >= ord('A') and c <= ord('Z'): if c > ord('M'): c -= 13 else: c += 13 # Append to result. result += chr(c) # Return transformation. return result # Test method. print(rot13("gandalf")) print(rot13(rot13("gandalf")))
tnaqnys gandalf
Notes, tests. We test to make sure the rot13() method is correct. When we call rot13() on the result of rot13(), we again have our original string value.
Thus The rot13() algorithm round-trips its data correctly—the original data is not lost. This is correct.
Discussion. The ROT13 algorithm is an important one to implement. It is a handy way to add obscurity—text that is not easily readable. This is useful in certain situations.
Also The algorithm helps teach us how to treat characters as numbers. In Python we do this with ord() and chr(), two built-in functions.
Detail A faster implementation is possible using the translate method. We benchmark and implement one.
String translate
A summary. The ROT13 algorithm is well-known and can help us learn how to use core Python features. Ciphers, such as ROT13, are occasionally useful.
Dot Net Perls is a collection of tested code examples. Pages are continually updated to stay current, with code correctness a top priority.
Sam Allen is passionate about computer languages. In the past, his work has been recommended by Apple and Microsoft and he has studied computers at a selective university in the United States.
This page was last updated on Jul 31, 2022 (edit link).
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