Prerequisites for

Cryptanalysis for Microcomputers
Foster, Caxton C. 1982 (Currently out of print). 333 pages.
Categories: Cryptanalysis, Programming
It's a shame this book is out of print, because it's packed with cryptanalysis source code. Code examples help to break Playfair, polyalphabetic codes, and many other traditional ciphers. Unfortunately (or fortunately depending on who you are), all the examples are in basic. A great starting point for those just beginning to write software to perform cryptanalysis.


Recommended prerequisite books:
Both of these books:   
       
(Read review)
       
(Read review)
Suggested mathematical background in:

-  Probability and Statistics

Suggested computer language experience:

-  BASIC