GenerateSignature()

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Creates a digital signature using a private key.

A signature proves that data came from the key holder and hasn't been tampered with. Verify with VerifySignature().

Requires Extension: Crypto Extension

GenerateSignature( data=any, privateKey=any, algorithm=string );

Returns: String

Argument Description
data
any, required 		edit

Data to sign (string or binary)
privateKey
any, required 		edit

Private key (PEM string or Java object)
algorithm
string, optional 		edit

Signature algorithm (e.g., SHA256withRSA, SHA256withECDSA, Ed25519). Auto-detected if omitted.

Usage Notes

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The signature algorithm is auto-detected from the key type. For example, an RSA key uses SHA256withRSA, a P-256 key uses SHA256withECDSA, and an Ed25519 key uses EdDSA.

Post-quantum signatures: Dilithium signatures are significantly larger than classical signatures (approximately 2.4 KB for Dilithium3 vs 256 bytes for RSA-2048). Consider this if bandwidth or storage is a concern.

Digital signatures provide authentication (proof of who signed) and integrity (proof the data wasn't modified). They do not provide confidentiality — use encryption for that.

Examples

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// Digital signatures prove that data came from the key holder and hasn't been tampered with
// Sign with the private key, verify with the public key

// RSA signature
keyPair = GenerateKeyPair( "RSA-2048" );
signature = GenerateSignature( "Data to sign", keyPair.private );
isValid = VerifySignature( "Data to sign", signature, keyPair.public ); // true

// EC signature (smaller and faster than RSA)
keyPair = GenerateKeyPair( "P-256" );
signature = GenerateSignature( "Data to sign", keyPair.private );
isValid = VerifySignature( "Data to sign", signature, keyPair.public ); // true

// Ed25519 signature (modern, fast, compact)
keyPair = GenerateKeyPair( "Ed25519" );
signature = GenerateSignature( "Data to sign", keyPair.private );
isValid = VerifySignature( "Data to sign", signature, keyPair.public ); // true

// Post-quantum signatures with Dilithium (quantum-computer resistant)
// Available variants: Dilithium2, Dilithium3, Dilithium5
keyPair = GenerateKeyPair( "Dilithium3" );
signature = GenerateSignature( "Quantum-safe data", keyPair.private );
isValid = VerifySignature( "Quantum-safe data", signature, keyPair.public ); // true

See also