Password Generator

Overview

This Python script generates a random password of a user-specified length and saves it to a file (passwords.txt) along with a description of its intended use and a timestamp. The password is created using ASCII characters (from 33 to 126) and includes basic input validation to ensure the password length is greater than 4 characters.

Features

• Generates random passwords using ASCII characters.
• Ensures a minimum password length of 5 characters.
• Saves generated passwords to passwords.txt with:
  • Usage location (e.g., email, website).
  • Date and time of generation.
• Simple command-line interface for ease of use.

Prerequisites

• Python 3.x installed on your system.
• No external libraries are required (uses standard random and datetime modules).

Installation

1. Save the script as password_generator.py.
2. Ensure Python 3 is installed. You can verify this by running:

   python3 --version

3. No additional dependencies are needed.

Usage

1. Run the script using Python:

   python3 password_generator.py

2. Follow the prompts:
   • Enter the desired password length (must be greater than 4).
   • Specify where the password will be used (e.g., "email", "website").
3. The generated password will be displayed and saved to passwords.txt in the same directory as the script.

Example Interaction

Welcome to the password generator
Tell me how long you want your password to be: 3
Password length must be greater than 4. Please try again.
Tell me how long you want your password to be: 8
Generating password...
Kj#9mP$2
Where are you going to use this password? (e.g., email, website): email
Password saved with location: email

Output File (passwords.txt)

The generated password and its details are appended to passwords.txt. Example content:

Used for: email
Password: Kj#9mP$2
Date/Time: 2025-04-16 12:34:56

Limitations

• Passwords are stored in plain text in passwords.txt, which is not secure for sensitive applications.
• The random module is used, which is not cryptographically secure. For stronger passwords, consider using the secrets module.
• No error handling for file I/O issues or invalid input types (e.g., non-integer input for length).

Future Improvements

• Use the secrets module for cryptographically secure password generation.
• Add encryption for storing passwords securely.
• Implement input validation for non-integer inputs.
• Allow users to customize character sets (e.g., exclude special characters).
• Add an option to view previously saved passwords securely.

License

This project is unlicensed and provided as-is for educational purposes.