# Instructions
Picocrypt is written to be cross-platform, so you should be able to run the raw Python file on your OS without any issues. Picocrypt's dependencies will be automatically installed via <code>pip</code>, which will usually work without any issues. If Picocrypt can't automatically install dependencies, install these dependencies via <code>pip</code> manually: <code>argon2-cffi</code>, <code>pycryptodome</code>, and <code>reedsolo</code>.

# A note about reedsolo
Picocrypt can use the raw <code>reedsolo</code> Python module by itself, but it is very slow because it's written in pure Python. It is recommended to compile a Python extension (.pyd/.so) for <code>reedsolo</code>, and name it <code>creedsolo</code> (ie. <code>creedsolo.pyd</code> or <code>creedsolo.so</code>). Make sure to include the extension in the same directory as <code>Picocrypt.py</code>. See <a href="https://github.com/tomerfiliba/reedsolomon#installation" target="_blank">here</a> for instructions on building the extension. The Windows executable already bundles <code>creedsolo.pyd</code>, but for Linux or MacOS, you'll have to build the Python extension yourself if you want better speeds. <strong>Building the extension is not necessary if you don't intend on using the Reed-Solomon feature a lot, or if you are okay with slow Reed-Solomon speeds. Picocrypt will work just fine without the extension and just the way it is.</strong>

# External links
Here are the Github links of the dependencies of Picocrypt, if you are curious or want to audit them:
<ul>
  <li>Argon2-cffi: https://github.com/hynek/argon2-cffi</li>
  <li>Pycryptodome: https://github.com/Legrandin/pycryptodome</li>
  <li>ReedSolo: https://github.com/tomerfiliba/reedsolomon</li>
</ul>