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CRYPGRAM.DOC
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1989-01-12
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-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Copyright 1989, Raysoft 524 Hamilton St. Stoughton. WI 53589
Overview
Crypgram is a solution aid for "newspaper" type cryptograms.
These cryptograms are simple substitution ciphers. That is, each
letter in the coded message represents one unique other letter in the
plaintext (uncoded) message and each coded word preserves the letter
count and spacing of the plaintext. Though these ciphers are among
the easiest to decode, they can be quite challenging especially if
short.
This new version of CRYPGRAM includes several features which make
its use more convenient including improved speed, and a menu system.
Other additions planned include path support, color-keyed letter and
pair identification, data file structure changes, and more code decode
type options. I'd like to hear what those who use it would like
added.
Setup
Program installation is very simple. The program and associated
files should be located in the same directory or sub-directory as
paths are not supported. You can copy the files with DOS or just type
"install" + ┘ to move the files to the directory C:\CYP. Of course,
you don't type in the quotes or + sign, and ┘ stands for the Enter
key.
Getting Started
You start the program by typing "CRYPGRAM" + ┘. CRYPGRAM will
display a commercial. In registered versions, the owner's name will
be displayed. Pressing any key except "Esc" will take you to the Main
program menu. You make menu choices by pressing the highlighted key
in the selection you wish to make. You may need to adjust the
contrast on your monitor to make these letters visible. If you make a
mistake, the guide bar at the bottom of the menu will begin flashing.
Don't worry, just try again. When you decide to quit, Press Esc at
the Main menu to return to your system control.
What's the message
In order for you to use CRYPGRAM, it needs a message to work on.
There are three main ways to get a message: You can type in a coded
message obtained from a newspaper or puzzle book; you can have a
friend type in plaintext messages and then code it using the "@"
option in the Analysis menu; you can use the coded messages supplied
with the program.
Typing a Coded message
When you select the New coded message option in the menu, CRYPGRAM
will begin Entry mode. In this mode, you can type a coded message
into the CRYPGRAM analysis area for solution. In doing so be careful
to not make errors in typing. Such errors can greatly complicate the
solution of the cryptogram. CRYPGRAM's input function is line
oriented, so if you discover an error in the line you are working on,
just back up with backspace to erase or with back arrow to leave the
entered text. When you get to the location of the error, use
backspace, delete, insert, and end to help with line corrections. If
you notice an error in a previous line, you can use the edit message
function in the Main menu to fix things up. Entry mode remains in
effect until you press ┘ while the cursor is on a blank line or when
you have typed in 12 lines. The 12 line limitation is necessary to
allow display of both coded and decoded text on the same screen. Upon
exiting Entry mode, CRYPGRAM begins analysis in the Tables area.
New Plaintext Messages
The New Plaintext message option works just like the coded message
option.
Editing a Message
You will probably make entry errors in your messages from time to
time because the unusual letter combinations tend to trip up the
fingers. The Edit option of the Main menu comes to the rescue! You
could save the message, exit to a word processor and restart the
program, but edit will handle the minor touch-ups more simply. When
there is an error in one of your messages (even coded ones), fix it
with Edit. If you have entered a partial message, you can finish it
then go edit without worrying about lost input. From the Analysis
area, just press Esc to go to the Main menu and activate Edit there.
Edit is a very simple editor. You may only work on one line at a
time. In the working line, the editing keys work as you should
expect; LEFT and RIGHT ARROWS move the cursor nondestructively, INSERT
puts a space to the right of the cursor, DELETE remaves the letter
under the cursor, shortening the line by one, HOME moves the cursor to
the start of the work line, END moves the cursor to the end of the
work line, ENTER advances to the next work line, if any and otherwise
drops into the Entry area so that you can extend the message if need
be. UP and DOWN ARROWS move among the lines of the message.
Getting a filed Message
CRYPGRAM comes with numerous pre-coded messages for you to try;
some of which are easy and some difficult. You select one by pressing
F in the Main menu. Crypgram will display the available coded files
in the current directory. These files all have a .CRY extension.
Just pick one and type in its name. You need not type the extension,
as CRYPGRAM will add it if you leave it off. CRYPGRAM will load the
file and exit to the Tables area.
Saving a Message
The save option of the Main menu is useful for expanding your
collection of messages. When you have a message from the Analysis
area, you can save it with the S option. CRYPGRAM will display the
current messages in the directory and ask for a file name. File names
are limited to 8 characters plus a period and a 3 character extension.
CRYPGRAM assumes that its message files have a ".CRY" extension. You
need not type it, CRYPGRAM will supply it if you don't. If you use
your own extension, CRYPGRAM will save the file as you ask, and will
be able to load it again if you remember the name, but CRYPGRAM will
not display it in the directory list.
The Tables
When a message is loaded, CRYPGRAM begins analysis. The
occurences of each letter are counted and a sorted list is displayed
in the Common Letters table. Since English words on average contain
far more of some letters such as "e" than others as "j", letter
frequency is a good clue to start your solution with. A second table
is constructed with most of the common letter pairs in the message.
This is most useful in more difficult puzzles. Exit the Tables area
by pressing any key. Don't worry, you can get back any time to review
them.
The Analysis area
In this area the current message is displayed and the actual
solution is done. CRYPGRAM displays the current message and current
decode attempt on alternate lines, with the decoded text above the
coded text. This is why there is a 12 line limit on input messages.
The messages appear at the screen top while at the bottom is the
Analysis menu line, consisting of the Replacement status area and the
Option keys area.
The Replacement status area
The Replacement status area has two bracketed spaces. The first
shows the letter that CRYPGRAM will look for to replace and the second
holds the replacement letter. Usually the replacement happens so fast
that you hardly even see the second letter.
Sometimes when you are distracted you might accidentally press the
second key long enough so that the auto-repeat function causes double
keying, so that you may see the letter you used as a replacement in
the first box. In this instance, press the letter once more to cause
CRYPGRAM to replace it with itself. Similarly, if you have been
deleting letters by replacing them with spaces, you may see the
cursor in the second bracket, with no letter in the first bracket.
Again, just press the space to replace space with space.
The Option keys
While it's easiest to delete a letter or two by replacing with
spaces, if you find that you have gotten way off track. Press the
Backspace key to clear the current attempt and start over.
It's often useful to review the letter frequency tables during the
solution. This is done by pressing the Tab key. When you are done
with the review, any key press will return you to the puzzle at your
previous partial solution, if any.
Plaintext messages can be encoded and coded messages can be
recoded in the Analysis area with the @ option key. With a message
displayed on the Analysis screen, pressing "@" causes CRYPGRAM to
encode the message using random single substitution. CRYPGRAM then
exits to the Tables area to do preliminary analysis, so that if you
have a friend code a message for you, you'll be able to sit right down
and work on it. If you want to make and save several messages, a key
press in Tables will take you to Analysis from where you can get to
the save option in the Main menu. You can repeat the @ option on a
message until you like the look of the coded text.
Pressing Esc in the Analysis area exits to the Main menu for
message saving, new messages, and quitting the program.
Shareware & Registration
This program and associated files are Copyright 1989, Raysoft and
are distributed on a shareware basis. This is not free software. You
may make copies of the archive program and distribute it free to
others, under no circumstances may you charge for its distribution
without the express written permission of the author, except for BBS
membership fees. You are granted a limited right to use the program
without charge, but if you continue to use it beyond the evaluation
period of 3 weeks, you should become a registered user by sending
$5.00 to:
Raysoft
524 Hamilton St.
Stoughton, WI 53589