How to Generate Random Passwords without Built-in Random Function

Table of Contents

1. Introduction
2. Creating a Random Password Generator
3. The Need for Randomness and Time-based Values
4. Generating a Character Set
5. Obtaining System Time for Randomization
6. Slicing System Time for Digits
7. Creating Random Indexes within Character Set
8. Modding the Index Value
9. Plotting Randomness Distribution
10. Adding Sleep Function for Randomization
11. Creating the Password Generator Function
12. Generating Random Passwords
13. Conclusion

Introduction

In today's digital age, the need for strong and secure passwords is more important than ever. However, creating random passwords without relying on language-specific internal random functions can be a challenge. In this article, we will explore how to build a random password generator using Python. We will focus on generating passwords that are random and secure by obtaining values from the system time. Let's dive in and explore the process step by step.

Creating a Random Password Generator

To create a random password generator, we first need to establish a character set. This character set will consist of lowercase letters, uppercase letters, numbers, and symbols. By having a diverse range of characters, we can ensure that the generated passwords are more secure.

The Need for Randomness and Time-based Values

Randomness plays a crucial role in password generation. We need a mechanism to introduce randomness into the process to ensure the security of the passwords. By incorporating time-based values into our approach, we can achieve a level of randomness that is difficult to predict or crack.

Generating a Character Set

Before we can start generating passwords, we need to define our character set. This set will include lowercase letters, uppercase letters, numbers, and symbols. By importing the necessary Python libraries, we can easily create an array that contains all the required characters.

Obtaining System Time for Randomization

In order to introduce randomness into our password generation process, we will leverage the system time. By accessing the current system time, we can obtain a timestamp that will serve as the basis for our randomization.

Slicing System Time for Digits

To extract usable digits from the system time, we need to slice the timestamp. This involves selecting a specific range of digits that change more frequently. By omitting the initial digits, which tend to remain constant for a short period, we can ensure that our randomization is more effective.

Creating Random Indexes within Character Set

The next step is to generate random indexes within our character set. These indexes will determine which characters from the set will be chosen for our password generation. By using the sliced system time digits, we can create an index that ranges from 0 to the length of the character set.

Modding the Index Value

To prevent the index from going out of bounds, we need to apply the modulo operation. This operation ensures that the index stays within the range of the character set length. By doing this, we can generate random indexes that are valid and won't cause errors or unexpected behavior.

Plotting Randomness Distribution

To visualize the randomness of our password generation, we can plot a distribution of the generated random indexes. By using the appropriate Python libraries, we can generate a graphical representation that showcases the variability and randomness of the generated values.

Adding Sleep Function for Randomization

To further enhance the randomization process, we can add a small sleep function. This function introduces a delay between each iteration, allowing for more variation in the system time. By doing this, we can ensure that the generated passwords are even more random and unpredictable.

Creating the Password Generator Function

Now that we have all the necessary components in place, we can create the password generator function. This function will take the desired length of the password as input and generate a random password by selecting characters from the character set based on the randomly generated indexes.

Generating Random Passwords

With our password generator function ready, we can now generate random passwords. By calling the function and specifying the desired length of the passwords, we can obtain a list of randomly generated passwords. We can then convert this list into a single string to make it more user-friendly and easier to handle.

Conclusion

In this article, we have explored the process of creating a random password generator without relying on language-specific internal random functions. By leveraging the system time and generating random indexes within a character set, we can achieve a high level of randomness and security in our generated passwords. With the ability to control and modify the randomization process, we can ensure that the passwords generated are both secure and unpredictable.