Java Platform 1.2

java.security
Interface Key

All Known Subinterfaces:
DSAPrivateKey, DSAPublicKey, PrivateKey, PublicKey, RSAPrivateCrtKey, RSAPrivateKey, RSAPublicKey

public abstract interface Key
extends Serializable

The Key interface is the top-level interface for all keys. It defines the functionality shared by all key objects. All keys have three characteristics:

Keys are generally obtained through key generators, certificates, or various Identity classes used to manage keys. Keys may also be obtained from key specifications (transparent representations of the underlying key material) through the use of a key factory (see KeyFactory).

See Also:
PublicKey, PrivateKey, KeyPair, KeyPairGenerator, KeyFactory, KeySpec, Identity, Signer

Field Summary
static long serialVersionUID
           
 
Fields inherited from class java.io.Serializable
serialVersionUID
 
Method Summary
 String getAlgorithm()
          Returns the standard algorithm name for this key.
 byte[] getEncoded()
          Returns the key in its primary encoding format, or null if this key does not support encoding.
 String getFormat()
          Returns the name of the primary encoding format of this key, or null if this key does not support encoding.
 

Field Detail

serialVersionUID

public static final long serialVersionUID
Method Detail

getAlgorithm

public String getAlgorithm()
Returns the standard algorithm name for this key. For example, "DSA" would indicate that this key is a DSA key. See Appendix A in the Java Cryptography Architecture API Specification & Reference for information about standard algorithm names.
Returns:
the name of the algorithm associated with this key.

getFormat

public String getFormat()
Returns the name of the primary encoding format of this key, or null if this key does not support encoding. The primary encoding format is named in terms of the appropriate ASN.1 data format, if an ASN.1 specification for this key exists. For example, the name of the ASN.1 data format for public keys is SubjectPublicKeyInfo, as defined by the X.509 standard; in this case, the returned format is "X.509". Similarly, the name of the ASN.1 data format for private keys is PrivateKeyInfo, as defined by the PKCS #8 standard; in this case, the returned format is "PKCS#8".
Returns:
the primary encoding format of the key.

getEncoded

public byte[] getEncoded()
Returns the key in its primary encoding format, or null if this key does not support encoding.
Returns:
the encoded key, or null if the key does not support encoding.

Java Platform 1.2

Submit a bug or feature Version 1.2 of Java Platform API Specification
Java is a trademark or registered trademark of Sun Microsystems, Inc. in the US and other countries.
Copyright 1993-1998 Sun Microsystems, Inc. 901 San Antonio Road,
Palo Alto, California, 94303, U.S.A. All Rights Reserved.