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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 PHP Downloads

Chilkat2 PHP
<?php

use Chilkat2\PrivateKey;

// Load a private key to export.
$privKey = new PrivateKey();
try {
    $privKey->LoadPemFile('qa_data/private.pem');

    // Export as unencrypted PEM, preferring the traditional algorithm-specific representation when
    // one exists (for example "-----BEGIN RSA PRIVATE KEY-----").
    $pem = $privKey->GetPkcs1Pem();
} catch (\Chilkat2\Exception $e) {
    echo $e->getMessage(), "\n";
    exit;
}

echo $pem, "\n";