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.. _mozilla_projects_nss_reference_nss_key_functions:
NSS Key Functions
=================
.. container::
This chapter describes two functions used to manipulate private keys and key databases such as
the key3.db database provided with NSS. This was converted from `"Chapter 6: Key
- :ref:`mozilla_projects_nss_reference`
- `SECKEY_GetDefaultKeyDB <#seckey_getdefaultkeydb>`__
- `SECKEY_DestroyPrivateKey <#seckey_destroyprivatekey>`__
.. rubric:: SECKEY_GetDefaultKeyDB
:name: seckey_getdefaultkeydb
Returns a handle to the default key database opened by NSS_Init.
Syntax
#. include <key.h>
#. include <keyt.h>
SECKEYKeyDBHandle \*SECKEY_GetDefaultKeyDB(void);
Returns The function returns a handle of type SECKEYKeyDBHandle.
Description NSS_Init opens the certificate, key, and security module databases that you specify
for use with NSS. SECKEYKeyDBHandle returns a handle to the key database opened by NSS_Init.
.. rubric:: SECKEY_DestroyPrivateKey
:name: seckey_destroyprivatekey
Destroys a private key structure.
Syntax
#. include <key.h>
#. include <keyt.h>
void SECKEY_DestroyPrivateKey(SECKEYPrivateKey \*key);
Parameter This function has the following parameter:
key
A pointer to the private key structure to destroy.
Description Certificate and key structures are shared objects. When an application makes a copy
of a particular certificate or key structure that already exists in memory, SSL makes a shallow
copy--that is, it increments the reference count for that object rather than making a whole new
copy. When you call CERT_DestroyCertificate or SECKEY_DestroyPrivateKey, the function decrements
the reference count and, if the reference count reaches zero as a result, both frees the memory
and sets all the bits to zero. The use of the word "destroy" in function names or in the
description of a function implies reference counting.
Never alter the contents of a certificate or key structure. If you attempt to do so, the change
affects all the shallow copies of that structure and can cause severe problems.