The basic concern of a computer code is to represent information so that it can be stored, processed, and transmitted by computers. The Universal Product Code on supermarket items involves a series of bars that can be scanned at the checkout counters. A second level of concern with computer coding schemes is the efficiency of the code.
Data compression is another issue.
The jpg and gif formats are two systems for converting graphics images into substantially smaller files that are needed to represent the individual pixels each with the full range of choices of colors. A third level of concern is with privacy of information, especially information that will be transmitted on channels maintained by many unknown services. In this lab, you will use a variety of encryption schemes to encode some messages. You will also use the power of computers to break some of these codes. From this you can judge the level of security offered by some historically popular encryption systems.