Which encryption method uses a fixed substitution of letters with no repeating patterns, producing ciphertext?

Study for the CodeHS AP Computer Science Principles (CSP) Exam. Prepare with flashcards and multiple choice questions, each question comes with hints and explanations. Get ready for success!

Multiple Choice

Which encryption method uses a fixed substitution of letters with no repeating patterns, producing ciphertext?

Explanation:
The thing being tested is how letters get mapped to hide patterns. A random substitution cipher uses a one-to-one mapping where each plaintext letter is replaced by a randomly chosen ciphertext letter, and that mapping stays fixed for the message. Because the replacement isn’t tied to a simple rule like shifting the alphabet, the resulting ciphertext doesn’t show the regular, repeating patterns you’d get from a fixed shift. The Caesar cipher, by contrast, applies a constant shift to every letter, which creates predictable patterns that can be spotted. The other terms are too broad to describe this specific idea of a non-patterned, random-like substitution.

The thing being tested is how letters get mapped to hide patterns. A random substitution cipher uses a one-to-one mapping where each plaintext letter is replaced by a randomly chosen ciphertext letter, and that mapping stays fixed for the message. Because the replacement isn’t tied to a simple rule like shifting the alphabet, the resulting ciphertext doesn’t show the regular, repeating patterns you’d get from a fixed shift. The Caesar cipher, by contrast, applies a constant shift to every letter, which creates predictable patterns that can be spotted. The other terms are too broad to describe this specific idea of a non-patterned, random-like substitution.

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