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Lua

Export a Private Key as Traditional PEM

See more Private Key Examples

Demonstrates the Chilkat PrivateKey.GetPkcs1Pem method, which exports the key as unencrypted PEM, preferring the traditional algorithm-specific representation when one exists (for example -----BEGIN RSA PRIVATE KEY-----). It takes no arguments.

Note: The file paths are relative to the application's current working directory. Absolute paths may also be used. Supply the paths appropriate to your own environment.

Background: Before PKCS #8 unified key storage, each algorithm had its own PEM format — RSA PRIVATE KEY, EC PRIVATE KEY, and so on. Some older tools still expect that traditional form, and this method produces it. When you have the choice, PKCS #8 (GetPkcs8Pem) is the more interoperable modern option; use this for compatibility with software that requires the legacy layout.

Chilkat Lua Downloads

Lua
local chilkat = require("chilkat")

-- Load a private key to export.
local privKey = chilkat.PrivateKey.new()
local success = privKey:load_pem_file("qa_data/private.pem")
if not success then
    print(privKey.last_error_text)
    return
end

-- Export as unencrypted PEM, preferring the traditional algorithm-specific representation when
-- one exists (for example "-----BEGIN RSA PRIVATE KEY-----").
local pem = privKey:get_pkcs1_pem()
if not privKey.last_method_success then
    print(privKey.last_error_text)
    return
end

print(pem)