🔐 Enigma Machine Simulator

The Legacy of Enigma ⚡

The Enigma machine isn't just any encryption device - it changed history! This seemingly simple machine was so complex that breaking it led to:

• Creation of the first computer by Alan Turing
• Birth of modern computing and cryptography
• Allied victory in WWII by breaking "unbreakable" codes

What Makes This Simulator Special 🌟

Unlike other implementations that just focus on the math, this simulator:

• Perfectly mirrors the physical machine's signal path
• Each array represents actual mechanical parts
• Every step matches real hardware:
  • Keyboard input → Electrical signal
  • Plugboard wires → Array swaps
  • Rotating wheels → Array shifts
  • Electrical path → Position tracking
  • Light bulb output → Character display

✨ Features

• 🎮 Interactive CLI menu system
• 🔄 Message encryption and decryption
• 🔌 Configurable plugboard (swap letter pairs)
• ⚙️ Adjustable rotor positions
• 💫 Uses actual historical Enigma rotor wirings
• 🎯 Perfect encryption/decryption with reciprocal property

📚 Detailed Documentation

Want to dive deeper? Check out these detailed docs:

• DOCUMENTATION.md: Complete technical breakdown of how each component works
• CPP_CONCEPTS.md: Learn about the C++ concepts used in this project
• Each file explains different aspects:
  • How hardware maps to code
  • Historical accuracy details
  • Programming concepts used
  • Step-by-step encryption process

🏃‍♂️ How to Run

1. Clone the repository
2. Compile with any C++ compiler:

g++ main.cpp -o enigma

3. Run the executable:

./enigma

📖 Usage Examples

Encrypt a Message:

Choose option (1-5): 1
Enter message to encrypt: HELLO
Encrypted message: LZFBD

Configure Plugboard:

Choose option (1-5): 3
Enter two letters to swap (e.g., AB): HM
Plugboard configured: H <-> M

Set Rotor Positions:

Choose option (1-5): 4
Enter positions for left, middle, and right rotors (e.g., AAA): XYZ
Rotor positions set to: XYZ

🎯 Project Structure

• main.cpp: Core implementation
• DOCUMENTATION.md: Technical details and hardware simulation explanation
• CPP_CONCEPTS.md: C++ concepts and learning resources
• README.md: This file

🌟 Cool Features

• Each letter encrypts differently based on rotor positions
• Plugboard adds extra encryption complexity
• Matches historical Enigma machine behavior
• Simple but powerful encryption system

💡 Learning Value

This project helps you understand:

• How physical encryption machines work
• Mapping hardware to software concepts
• Array manipulation and character handling
• Historical cryptography
• Modular programming

🤝 Contributing Feel free to:

Fork the project Add new features Fix bugs Submit pull requests

Made with 💻 by a student fascinated by cryptography, history, and C++!

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"Sometimes it is the people no one imagines anything of who do the things that no one can imagine." - Alan Turing