VB.NET

Load a Public Key from a String

Demonstrates the Chilkat PublicKey.LoadFromString method, which loads a public key from a string. The only argument is the string. Chilkat examines the content and recognizes PEM public keys, unencrypted PEM private keys (taking only the public portion), XML, JWK, and more.

Background: This is the forgiving text loader: rather than requiring you to know the exact format, it inspects whatever string you provide and figures it out. A useful convenience is that it accepts an unencrypted private key too and keeps only the public half — handy when you have a key pair but need just the public key. Use it whenever the textual format is uncertain or varies by source.

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VB.NET

Dim success As Boolean = False

'  Demonstrates the PublicKey.LoadFromString method, which loads a public key from a string.  The
'  only argument is the string.  Chilkat examines the content and recognizes PEM public keys,
'  unencrypted PEM private keys (using only the public portion), XML, JWK, and more.

Dim pubKey As New Chilkat.PublicKey

'  The PEM text of a public key.
Dim keyText As String = "-----BEGIN PUBLIC KEY-----" & vbLf & "MIIBIjANBgkq...IDAQAB" & vbLf & "-----END PUBLIC KEY-----"

success = pubKey.LoadFromString(keyText)
If (success = False) Then
    Debug.WriteLine(pubKey.LastErrorText)
    Exit Sub
End If


Debug.WriteLine("Loaded a " & pubKey.KeyType & " public key.")