WK5: Implementing Secure Algorithms in an IDE (Session 1)

• Programming
• Higher Education (degree)

Welcome Week 5

Implementing Secure Algorithms in an IDE

Module Lecturer: Dr Raghav Kovvuri

Email: [e-mail]

Introduction

• Recap: Algorithms and IDE basics
• Today's focus: Implementing secure algorithms

Objectives:

• Implement a sorting algorithm
• Debug algorithms effectively
• Understand and apply security considerations in coding

• What is Time complexity, Space complexity, and Big O notation?

Implementing a Basic Sorting Algorithm

• Time complexity: O(n^2)
• Space complexity: O(1)

Submit to 

Debugging Algorithms

Key Debugging Features in IDE:

1. Setting breakpoints
2. Stepping through code

            -> Step Over (F10)

            -> Step Into (F11)

            -> Step Out (Shift+F11)

 3. Watching variables

 4. Using the Debug Console

Demo: Debugging Bubble Sort

Introduction to Security Considerations

Why Security Matters:

• Protect user data
• Prevent unauthorized access
• Maintain system integrity

Common Vulnerabilities:

• Buffer overflows
• Integer overflows
• Input validation issues

Secure Coding Practices for Algorithms:

Input Validation

Practices

Proper Error Handling

Secure Data Handling

• Use secure data structures
• Limit exposure of sensitive data

Securing the Bubble Sort Algorithm

Understand the Code 

Hands-on Exercise

Secure Search Algorithm: Linear Search

Implement a Linear Search algorithm with the following requirements:

1. Include input validation
2. Implement proper error handling
3. Use IDE debugging tools to verify correctness
4. Consider potential security issues

Template:

Code Review Best Practices

1. Check for input validation
2. Verify error handling
3. Look for potential security vulnerabilities
4. Assess algorithm efficiency
5. Ensure code readability and documentation 

Recap and Next Steps

Key Takeaways:

1. Algorithm implementation in IDE
2. Debugging techniques for algorithms
3. Security considerations in coding
4. Secure coding practices

Next Session Preview:

• Introduction to Version Control with Git
• Managing code changes and collaboration