{"categories":[{"label":"Cryptography","url":"https://skillfed.io/packages/category/security-cryptography/2"}],"enrichment":{"capability":"xxtea is a Python extension that implements the XXTEA block cipher algorithm, providing functions to encrypt and decrypt data with a 128-bit key using a non-standard 4-byte PKCS#7 padding scheme.","skillfed_tags":["encryption","legacy-cipher","compiled-extension"],"use_cases":["Encrypt sensitive binary data (credentials, tokens, session data) in Python applications where XXTEA compatibility is needed.","Implement legacy system integration where XXTEA is the mandated cipher for cross-platform communication.","Encrypt arbitrary-length byte strings without manual padding logic by relying on the built-in PKCS#7 scheme.","Create reusable cipher objects for batch encryption/decryption of multiple messages with the same key and settings.","Hex-encode encrypted output for storage or transmission in text-based formats (databases, logs, APIs)."],"what_it_does":"xxtea is a compiled Python extension wrapping the XXTEA symmetric block cipher algorithm. It takes a 128-bit (16-byte) key and encrypts or decrypts data in 32-bit word blocks. The package handles byte-to-word conversions automatically and applies a non-standard 4-byte block PKCS#7 padding by default to ensure input data meets XXTEA's requirement of at least 2 words (8 bytes) and a multiple of 4 bytes. This means you can encrypt arbitrary binary data of any length without manual padding.\n\nThe module exports four module-level functions\u2014encrypt(), decrypt(), encrypt_hex(), and decrypt_hex()\u2014plus an XXTEA class for creating reusable cipher objects that store the key, padding mode, and round count. Rounds default to 6 + 52/n (where n is the number of 32-bit words), but can be overridden. The non-standard padding scheme makes output incompatible with other XXTEA implementations; use padding=False for raw XXTEA if interoperability is required, though this imposes strict data-length constraints.","worth_installing":"Yes, if you need XXTEA specifically for legacy compatibility or cross-platform communication. The package is actively maintained, has no known vulnerabilities, supports modern Python versions (3.9\u20133.15), and offers prebuilt wheels for easy installation. However, be aware that its non-standard padding makes output incompatible with other XXTEA libraries; use only if interoperability with this specific implementation is required. For new projects, consider modern alternatives like cryptography or nacl."},"id":"xxtea","links":{"html":"https://skillfed.io/packages/xxtea","md":"https://skillfed.io/packages/xxtea.md","pypi":"https://pypi.org/project/xxtea/"},"maintenance":{"status":"active"},"meta":{"latest_release":"2026-08-14","license_spdx":null,"license_treatment":"permissive","name":"xxtea","python_support":"supports_current","summary":"xxtea is a simple block cipher"},"popularity":{"monthly_downloads":275811,"position":8171,"tier":"top_15000"},"security":{"n_vulnerabilities":0},"version":"5.3.3"}