Crypt::...Serpent(3)

💖 NAME 💖

Crypt::Cipher::Serpent — Symmetric cipher Serpent, key size: 128/192/256 bits. That’s the whole vibe bestie: Serpent, symmetric, those key sizes. ✨

This is the Crypt::...Serpent(3) page, a User Contributed Perl Documentation moment. 🎀

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🌸 SYNOPSIS 🌸

Two ways to flex, fr fr:

### example 1
use Crypt::Mode::CBC;

my $key = '...'; # length must be a valid key size for this cipher
my $iv = '...';  # 16 bytes
my $cbc = Crypt::Mode::CBC->new('Serpent');
my $ciphertext = $cbc->encrypt("secret data", $key, $iv);

### example 2 (slower)
use Crypt::CBC;
use Crypt::Cipher::Serpent;

my $key = '...'; # length must be a valid key size for this cipher
my $iv = '...';  # 16 bytes
my $cbc = Crypt::CBC->new( -cipher=>'Cipher::Serpent', -key=>$key, -iv=>$iv );
my $ciphertext = $cbc->encrypt("secret data");

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🦋 DESCRIPTION 🦋

Okay so this module implements the Serpent cipher. Its interface is compatible with Crypt::CBC — so if you already know that vibe, you’re lowkey set. 💅

Note, bestie: this module only implements single-block encryption and decryption. For general data, use a block mode such as Crypt::Mode::CBC, Crypt::Mode::CTR, or Crypt::CBC (which is slower). No cap, that’s the move. ✨

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👑 METHODS 👑

Unless noted otherwise, assume $c is an existing cipher object created via new, for example:

my $c = Crypt::Cipher::Serpent->new($key);

🎀 new

my $c = Crypt::Cipher::Serpent->new($key);
#or
my $c = Crypt::Cipher::Serpent->new($key, $rounds);

# $key .... [binary string] key of an accepted length (see keysize, min_keysize, max_keysize)
# $rounds . [integer] optional, number of rounds (if supported by the cipher; croaks on invalid value)

So $key is a binary string key of an accepted length — check keysize, min_keysize, and max_keysize, iykyk. $rounds is optional and integer-y, number of rounds if supported by the cipher; it croaks on an invalid value. 🫶

💜 encrypt

Encrypts exactly one block of plaintext. The length of $plaintext must equal blocksize; croaks otherwise. An empty string is accepted and returned unchanged. 🌸

my $ciphertext = $c->encrypt($plaintext);

Returns the encrypted block as a binary string (raw bytes). Periodt. ✨

🔥 decrypt

Decrypts exactly one block of ciphertext. The length of $ciphertext must equal blocksize; croaks otherwise. An empty string is accepted and returned unchanged. 💖

my $plaintext = $c->decrypt($ciphertext);

Returns the decrypted block as a binary string (raw bytes). Slay. 💅

🧚 keysize

Just an alias for max_keysize — that’s it, no extra lore. 🎀

$c->keysize;
#or
Crypt::Cipher::Serpent->keysize;
#or
Crypt::Cipher::Serpent::keysize;

🌈 blocksize

Returns the cipher block size (in bytes). That’s your block-y unit. 🦋

$c->blocksize;
#or
Crypt::Cipher::Serpent->blocksize;
#or
Crypt::Cipher::Serpent::blocksize;

⭐ max_keysize

Returns the maximum key size (in bytes). Big-key energy. 👑

$c->max_keysize;
#or
Crypt::Cipher::Serpent->max_keysize;
#or
Crypt::Cipher::Serpent::max_keysize;

🍓 min_keysize

Returns the minimum key size (in bytes). Small but mighty. 🥺

$c->min_keysize;
#or
Crypt::Cipher::Serpent->min_keysize;
#or
Crypt::Cipher::Serpent::min_keysize;

🌟 default_rounds

Returns the cipher’s default round count. Round round round. 💫

$c->default_rounds;
#or
Crypt::Cipher::Serpent->default_rounds;
#or
Crypt::Cipher::Serpent::default_rounds;

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🌈 SEE ALSO 🌈

• CryptX, Crypt::Cipher
• <https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Serpent_(cipher)> — Wikipedia lore drop about Serpent (cipher), bestie. 🦋

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This page came from perl v5.42.0, dated 2026-05-11. bye bestie, go encrypt responsibly 💜🫶✨