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Why does iText require Bouncycastle?

jpstotz
2006-05-25
2013-05-01
  • jpstotz

    jpstotz - 2006-05-25

    Hi,

    I am just trying to implement a small application which can sign PDFs by using a private key from the user's windows-keystore. I noticed that iText incorporates the bouncycastle crypto provider which is incompatible with the default windows class for certificates:
    System.Security.Cryptography.X509Certificate

    Was it really necessary to rely on a third party crypto provider? IMHO this complicates using iText.

    Jan

     
    • Kazuya Ujihara

      Kazuya Ujihara - 2006-05-28

      System.Security.Cryptography.X509Certificate is not compatible with Java. You have to use Java compatible security provider like BouncyCastle with iText.NET.

       
      • jpstotz

        jpstotz - 2006-05-28

        Sorry, but I don't get this: "System.Security.Cryptography.X509Certificate is not compatible with Java".

        IMHO this sentence doesn't make any sense. Of course a .net class is incompatible with java - or did you mean J#? Any Java class needs a different VM/environment.
        On the other hand an X509 certificate has several standardised representations. A conversion between different languages and even platforms is possible. So what exactly do you mean with "not compatible"?

        > You have to use Java compatible security provider like BouncyCastle with iText.NET.

        I would if I could but from the windows certificate store you can not get the private key (as long as it is not marked for export).

        Jan

         
        • Kazuya Ujihara

          Kazuya Ujihara - 2006-05-28

          System.Security.Cryptography.X509Certificate is not compatible with both Java and J#.
          >I would if I could but from the windows certificate store you can not get the private key (as long as it is not marked for export). 
          One of the sample code can be found in iTextSharp site. <http://www.nabble.com/Re%3A+iTextSharp-p609655.html>. I recommend you to use iTextSharp for a new project. iText.NET is for a people who want to use a common code between Java and .NET.

           

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