The Joy of Cryptography (joyofcryptography.com)

Article summary

The article introduces an undergraduate-level textbook on cryptography, titled 'The Joy of Cryptography', which covers the fundamentals of provable security. The book is available online under a Creative Commons license and is supported by the National Science Foundation and the Open Textbook Initiative at Oregon State University. The textbook covers various topics in cryptography, including unconditional cryptography, pseudorandomness, symmetric-key encryption, and asymmetric-key cryptography. The book aims to provide a comprehensive introduction to cryptography for students.

Main themes

• cryptography textbook
• provable security
• mathematical notation
• calculus in computer science
• discrete vs continuous math
• learning resources
• teaching methods

What commenters say

• Some commenters appreciate the book's language-agnostic approach using math and pseudocode, making it accessible to a wide range of students.
• Others prefer code-based explanations, finding mathematical notation unfamiliar or less intuitive.
• There is a discussion on the importance of calculus in mathematics and computer science, with some arguing it is overemphasized and others finding it essential.
• The role of discrete math in computer science is highlighted, with some commenters noting its significance and others discussing its relationship to continuous math.
• Some commenters share their personal experiences with learning calculus and cryptography, highlighting the impact of good teaching and resources.
• The distinction between discrete and continuous math is debated, with some arguing that topology is more discrete and others countering that it is fundamentally continuous.
• The usefulness of calculus in designing and fabricating advanced technology is acknowledged, but some commenters argue that it does not represent the entirety of mathematics.
• The importance of having a good teacher or professor is emphasized in learning complex subjects like calculus and cryptography.