A cipher is a method of encrypting or decrypting information. It is a systematic way of transforming text in order to conceal its meaning.
Other related terms:
* Encryption: The process of converting information into a form that is unreadable without the appropriate key.
* Decryption: The process of converting encrypted information back into its original form.
* Cryptology: The study of codes and ciphers.
* Cryptography: The practice and study of techniques for secure communication.
* Code: A set of instructions or symbols that represent data or instructions in a computer. While code can be used for encryption, it is a broader term that encompasses other forms of data representation.