Thursday, November 11, 2010

What Makes Codes Good?

It's been exactly two years since I last posted! That's a record! Bad, though. :( I just found out that it's exactly two years just before typing the first words of this blog post. Earlier today, though, as I was on a ride to some place, I took the time to think about this blog, what I should add, how often should I add to it, etc. It should be more often than once in two years, I know! :D

Good thing I had my pen with me and some index cards in my pocket so I got to jot down some ideas, actually. It used to be that I ALWAYS had a pen and paper... then I always had something to take note of. When oblivion sets in, whatever I think about while having no pen is just something that might just come back later.

While traveling, I was trying to develop some new codes. While thinking, my mind detoured to the idea of what actually makes a good code. This is my personal opinion. For me, what makes a good code is not being able to actually think that it IS ACTUALLY a code. So when a coded message on a piece of paper crosses from one eye to another, those unconcerned will never suspect that it is a coded message that they would even take interest to decipher.

Human beings have the natural tendency to find out more, especially when there is some mystery attached. If there is a coded message on a piece of paper lying down on the table, the onlooker will tend to look and even think further and deeper! If it doesn't look like a code, then it just lays there not getting any attention at all... unless the intended recipient gets hold of it.

Another aspect of what makes a good code is, according to my personal opinion, it should be decipherable without having to get a pen and paper. It should be pure mental wit and skill. That way, the person reading will just be seen as a person reading what is obvious.

The third aspect is, the writer must be able to write the code mentally too.

Maybe that's why it takes some time for me to develop new codes... I don't want to depend on memory as we know that as we grow older, the better we forget! :D As long as it's decipherable (using mere common sense and intelligence) then oblivion is not much of a problem.

In conclusion, what makes a code good (in my opinion)?
1. It must not look like a code.
2. It must be decipherable mentally.
3. It must be coded mentally.

19 comments:

Mei said...

Oh I thought the 'code' you were talking about was about computer codes hahaha I am learning how to code programs, so I think that's what you are talking about but I was wrong.

So the code you're saying is the kind of codes that can be found when solving mysteries, like those we watch on movies, right? haha I am really bad at that. I can't easily determine the output and I can't solve them hahaha

Michi said...

i've read da vinci book and i was amazed on how they decipher the codes

Sining Factory said...

Codes catch audience's eyes and minds. Readers usually get more curious and interested and tends to explore your writings. Nag-iisip ang nagbabasa ang nagkicreate sila ng sariling meaning. :)

Hazel said...

My my... Robert Langdon would be smiling at this :)

Herbert said...

I am not so good with codes but I can manage to make it thru. There's an online puzzle coding game i have played recently, it was a hell of game, very very intense..

joy said...

when i jot down ideas that pass on my mind during travels or when i am far from my keyboard i make use of my my cellphone, to make a quick note i also make use of codes, but it never came to my mind that it must be me alone who can decipher it hehe.

Badet said...

I thought you're referring to CSS and other geeky codes too. I think my mind needs sharpening for these codes.

iamsuperjulie said...

your post reminds me of all those dan brown books that kept me awake until 5am. haha...

chrisair said...

hmmn for me to easily remember is to signifies some event on it

simply pochi said...

I believe codes really catch audience's eyes and minds. Readers usually get more curious. But I am not good at it

Matsumoto said...

Go ahead and crack the conspiracy codes out there c5! :)

arcee said...

i bet no one can ever decode you heheheh. you are such a genius, but we've got something in common - i cannot leave the house without a paper & pen, too. i just hate it when i forget even small things, so i always have a list...

Lady Patchy said...

I was wondering what code were tslking about but I get it as I go along reading.Treasure hunters are good at it reminds me "National Treasure" movie of Nicolas cage.

McRICH said...

reading your post reminder me of dan brown's novels but i am not sure if codes like those are still prevalent nowadays. or, if they are still needed in our day to day lives. hmmm.

Jyppe A. Quidores said...

If you ever watch the movie, Wanted, codes are also being used.

I also use codes but seldom, only for the confidential information that need to record to avoid being forgotten especially when it is only written in a notepad or any piece of paper.

I was also thinking that this post is about HTML. Hehe!

C5 said...

@Mei, sorry to disappoint...

@michi, codes are really amazing... :)

@Sining Factory, i often use codes when writing in public so they cannot actually read, but yes, it catches attention that someone really asked (I was using the "dots and dashes" codes then)...

@Hazel, thanks for the compliment :)

@Herbert, yes, there are lots of cryptograms online...

@joy, that always depends on your purpose... :)

@Badet, CSS is more difficult! :P

@iamsuperjulie, would you believe i haven't even read any dan brown book?

@chrisair, that will also work but it will be limited...

@simply pochi, yes, the attraction to curiosity is always there... :)

@Matsumoto, they are way complicated! :P

@arcee, thanks for the compliment! :)

@tatess, i love that movie!

@jyppe, yes I've seen that movie. I seldom use codes now but I still get the itch to create some. I use codes in passwords, though. :)

C5 said...

@McRICH, it may not be used today as often as it has been especially during the first and second world war, but i'm sure there will come a time when it will be prevalent again. :)

May said...

Reminds me of how I grew up talking funny with other kids and it bugged the grown-ups because they couldn't understand a thing.

I am fascinated with codes. Not that I am any good at making and breaking them though. But there was a time my reading list centered on everything old-school espionage and it was all very interesting. And then came Dan Brown...

Interesting post! I actually picked up a Nick Carter novel haha and it's tempting me to read it.

C5 said...

@May, wow, you're also fascinated with codes! :) nice to know! :)