---
id: pydes
version: "2.0.1"
license: Public Domain
license_treatment: permissive
maintenance: abandoned
---

# pyDes — Pure python implementation of DES and TRIPLE DES encryption algorithm

License: permissive · Maintenance: abandoned · Downloads: 218.0K/mo

## What it is and what it does

pyDes is a pure Python implementation of the DES and Triple DES block cipher algorithms. It provides both DES-EDE3 with a 24 byte key and DES-EDE2 with a 16 byte key for symmetric encryption and decryption. The package has no external runtime dependencies and works with both Python 2 and Python 3, making it portable across environments.

The package is classified as mature but has been abandoned since its single release on 2016-05-06. DES itself is cryptographically broken by modern standards and should not be used for new security-critical applications. This package is most useful for decrypting legacy data, interfacing with older systems that still use DES, or educational exploration of symmetric encryption—not for protecting sensitive information in new systems.

Use it for:

- Decrypt legacy data or files encrypted with DES or Triple DES from older systems.
- Integrate with legacy applications or protocols that require DES cipher support.
- Educational study of symmetric encryption algorithms and block cipher operation modes.
- Reverse-engineer or analyze existing DES-encrypted communications in a controlled environment.

## Worth the install?

AI-flagged interpretation of the facts above — verify before relying.

Pure Python implementation of DES and Triple DES encryption algorithms, supporting DES-EDE3 with a 24 byte key and DES-EDE2 with a 16 byte key.

No, unless you are maintaining legacy code that specifically requires DES decryption. The package is abandoned with no maintenance since 2016, and DES is cryptographically broken. For new encryption needs, use modern alternatives. For legacy compatibility, verify whether a maintained fork exists first.

## Install

pip install pydes
uv add pydes
poetry add pydes

## Installing pyDes

Before you install: High install friction: the package is abandoned (last release 2016-05-06, no updates in 3752 days) with no active maintenance. Installation requires building from source tarball with no runtime dependencies to smooth the process.

License in practice: Public Domain license places no restrictions on use, modification, or redistribution—you may use this code freely in any context without attribution or licensing obligations.

Quickstart:

pip install pyDes

from pyDes import des, triple_des

key = b'encryption_key'
cipher = des(key)
encrypted = cipher.encrypt(b'plaintext')

DES and Triple DES are cryptographically broken and should not be used for new security-sensitive applications; this package is suitable only for legacy system compatibility or educational purposes.

Verify before relying:

- Whether this implementation has been audited for constant-time or side-channel resistance.
- Current real-world usage patterns and whether any active forks or maintained alternatives exist.
- Specific Python version compatibility beyond the unspecified classifier declarations.

## Package facts

- License: Public Domain (permissive)
- Python support: unspecified
- Install friction: high
- Maintenance: abandoned
- Downloads: 218.0K/month (top 15,000 on PyPI)
- Known vulnerabilities: none known

## Tags

DES encryption python, triple DES implementation, DES-EDE3 DES-EDE2, symmetric encryption algorithm, cryptographic cipher pure python, legacy-crypto, abandoned

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