Duckpass is a simple, no-nonsense password generator implemented in
native code. Run make to build, then run ./duckpass to generate a
password. Pass argument --len=N to generate a password of length
N. Pass argument --src=RANDSRC to specify file to source random
numbers from. Run with argument -? for more usage info.
Run duckpass with no arguments to print (to stdout) a random
password with at least one lowercase char, one uppercase char, one
number, and one punctuation char:
$ ./duckpass
PF%5VLT2toD*
Use the --len option to specify the password length:
$ ./duckpass --len=8
wHu1u*Uo
By default, duckpass gets randomness from /dev/urandom. You can
use the --src option to specify a different source of randomness:
$ ./duckpass --src=myfile.txt
xc@Vt9AT5b!P
This is mostly an experiment to benchmark against
duckpass.sh, which is
interpreted code, but is probably more convenient than this since you
don't have to compile it. I might be re-inventing the wheel here but
other open-source password generators I found didn't meet my
expectations of transparency and minimalism. I'm trying to follow the
suckless philosophy to some
extent, though not religiously. In particular I want to keep the code
short and easily auditable.
As mentioned above, I found many other open source password
generators. Although they didn't meet my needs of minimalism,
auditability, and command line interface they might meet your needs
better than duckpass. Here are some other password generators I
found:
- Advanced Password Generator - lightweight password generator with both GUI and command line interfaces written in FreePascal/Lazarus.
- Hawkpass - generates easy to remember passphrases; I think it's browser-based.
- PassGen - pronounceable password generator.
- Password Tech - password generator with many bells and whistles like pronounceable passwords and Lua scripting.
- PW Generator - password generator using c# and .NET framework.
- RND - secure character streams and large files.
- SimpleKey - password generator that lets you choose from a list of several algorithms.
Drop me a line if you know about any other open source password generators that should be on this list.