Question

What is the meaning of cipher in cryptography?

(a) an algorithm that performs encryption

(b) an algorithm that generates a secret code

(c) an algorithm that performs encryption or decryption

(d) a secret code

I got this question by my college director while I was bunking the class.

This intriguing question comes from Cryptography topic in division Cryptography of Data Structures & Algorithms II

Answer 1

The correct choice is (c) an algorithm that performs encryption or decryption

The best I can explain: Cipher is an algorithm for performing encryption or decryption. In cryptography, a set of defined steps are followed to generate ciphers. These are necessary to prevent data breach.