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

The question was asked in class test.

The doubt is from Cryptography in section Cryptography of Data Structures & Algorithms II

Answer 1

Right answer is (c) an algorithm that performs encryption or decryption

Easy explanation - 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.