CertStore Chilkat2 Java Reference Documentation
CertStore
Current Version: 11.7.0
Markdown version of this page for AI tools (v 11.7.0) · all AI docs
Chilkat.CertStore
Access certificates from Windows certificate stores, Apple Keychain,
files, memory stores, PEM bundles, PFX/P12 files, and hardware tokens.
Find certificates by subject, issuer, serial number, thumbprint, email,
private-key availability, or other identifying information.
Enumerate certificates in a store and retrieve each certificate as a
Add certificates to writable stores, remove certificates where supported,
and manage store contents from application code.
Work with certificates that have associated private keys from PFX/P12,
operating-system stores, smart cards, USB tokens, or other providers.
Pass retrieved certificates to other Chilkat classes for TLS client
authentication, S/MIME, signing, encryption, decryption, and verification.
For an extended overview, see
CertStore Class Overview.
Open, search, manage, and use certificate collections from many sources.
Chilkat.CertStore is the Chilkat class for working with
collections of X.509 certificates. It can open and manage certificates from
system stores, Apple Keychain, Windows registry or file stores, memory
stores, PEM files, PFX/P12 files, and smart card or USB token devices. It
supports loading, searching, iterating, adding, removing, and closing
certificate stores, with platform-specific behavior for Windows and Apple
Keychain.
Open certificate stores
Search and retrieve certs
Iterate collections
Chilkat.Cert object for inspection or use.
Add and remove certificates
Private-key backed certs
Use across Chilkat
Chilkat.Cert, and then pass that
certificate to the Chilkat class that needs it. Use certificate stores when
the application should select from existing system, file-based, keychain, or
hardware-backed certificates.
Object Creation
import com.chilkatsoft.chilkat2.ChilkatException;
import com.chilkatsoft.chilkat2.CertStore;
try (CertStore certStore = new CertStore()) {
// ... use certStore ...
} catch (ChilkatException e) {
System.out.println(e.getMessage()); // "CertStore.someMethod failed: <reason>"
System.out.println(e.getLastErrorText()); // the full log of the failed call
}Creates the underlying native Chilkat object. The native library (chilkat2java) is loaded the first time any Chilkat2 object is created; see the README in the download for where it is looked for (-Dchilkat2.library.path, a classpath resource, or java.library.path).
Releases the native object (CertStore is AutoCloseable, so try-with-resources calls it). Calling it again does nothing; any other method or property accessor called afterwards throws IllegalStateException. An object that is never closed is freed by a background cleaner once it becomes unreachable, but the garbage collector does not see native memory, so closing is the normal path. Objects returned by methods are owned by the caller too.
Returns true once close() has been called.
Errors
A method that fails throws ChilkatException, an unchecked exception carrying getClassName(), getMethodName(), getReason() (one line, also in the message) and getLastErrorText() (the full log, captured at the moment of the failure). The object remains usable. Methods that look something up and find nothing return null instead of throwing (each such method says so), and methods that answer a question (hasMember, isUnlocked, ...) return a plain boolean. Property accessors do not throw for Chilkat reasons.
A null string or object argument throws NullPointerException naming the parameter (except where a method documents that null is accepted), and a string containing U+0000 throws IllegalArgumentException.
Use an object from one thread at a time; it may be handed from one thread to another. The one cross-thread operation is setting setAbortCurrent(true) on an object that is busy in another thread (on the classes that have AbortCurrent). Unlocking: call new Global().unlockBundle("...") once at startup.
Properties
AvoidWindowsPkAccess
boolean getAvoidWindowsPkAccess()
void setAvoidWindowsPkAccess(boolean value)
Applies only when running on a Microsoft Windows operating system. If true, then any method that returns a certificate will not try to also access the associated private key, assuming one exists. This is useful if the certificate was installed with high-security such that a private key access would trigger the Windows OS to display a security warning dialog. The default value of this property is false.
DebugLogFilePath
String getDebugLogFilePath()
void setDebugLogFilePath(String value)
If set to a file path, this property logs the LastErrorText of each Chilkat method or property call to the specified file. This logging helps identify the context and history of Chilkat calls leading up to any crash or hang, aiding in debugging.
Enabling the VerboseLogging property provides more detailed information. This property is mainly used for debugging rare instances where a Chilkat method call causes a hang or crash, which should generally not happen.
Possible causes of hangs include:
- A timeout property set to 0, indicating an infinite timeout.
- A hang occurring within an event callback in the application code.
- An internal bug in the Chilkat code causing the hang.
LastErrorHtml
String getLastErrorHtml()
Provides HTML-formatted information about the last called method or property. If a method call fails or behaves unexpectedly, check this property for details. Note that information is available regardless of the method call's success.
topLastErrorText
String getLastErrorText()
Provides plain text information about the last called method or property. If a method call fails or behaves unexpectedly, check this property for details. Note that information is available regardless of the method call's success.
LastErrorXml
String getLastErrorXml()
Provides XML-formatted information about the last called method or property. If a method call fails or behaves unexpectedly, check this property for details. Note that information is available regardless of the method call's success.
topLastMethodSuccess
boolean getLastMethodSuccess()
void setLastMethodSuccess(boolean value)
Indicates the success or failure of the most recent method call: true means success, false means failure. This property remains unchanged by property setters or getters. This method is present to address challenges in checking for null or Nothing returns in certain programming languages. Note: This property does not apply to methods that return integer values or to boolean-returning methods where the boolean does not indicate success or failure.
NumCertificates
int getNumCertificates()
The number of certificates held in the certificate store.
topSmartCardPin
String getSmartCardPin()
void setSmartCardPin(String value)
Can be set to the PIN value for a certificate / private key stored on a smart card.
topUncommonOptions
String getUncommonOptions()
void setUncommonOptions(String value)
This is a catch-all property to be used for uncommon needs. This property defaults to the empty string, and should typically remain empty.
topVerboseLogging
boolean getVerboseLogging()
void setVerboseLogging(boolean value)
If set to true, then the contents of LastErrorText (or LastErrorXml, or LastErrorHtml) may contain more verbose information. The default value is false. Verbose logging should only be used for debugging. The potentially large quantity of logged information may adversely affect peformance.
Version
String getVersion()
Methods
AddCertificate
On Windows, this updates or adds cert to the open Windows certificate store. Note: This imports the certificate without the private key. The Chilkat.Pfx.ImportToWindows method must be called to import a certificate with a private key.
Beginning with Chilkat v10.0.0, on macOS and iOS, this adds the certificate, including any private keys and intermediate CA certificates, to the Apple Keychain.
Throws ChilkatException on failure; e.getLastErrorText() (or the object's getLastErrorText()) explains why, and the object remains usable.
CloseCertStore
This method closes any open certificate stores, removes all certificates from the object, and sets the NumCertificates property back to 0.
Throws ChilkatException on failure; e.getLastErrorText() (or the object's getLastErrorText()) explains why, and the object remains usable.
CreateFileStore
This method, available only on Microsoft Windows, creates a new file-based certificate store. You can save certificates to this store by using the AddCertificate function.
Internally, the Microsoft function CertOpenStore is called with the provider type CERT_STORE_PROV_FILE and the flag CERT_STORE_CREATE_NEW_FLAG, to create a new, empty certificate store that is backed by a file.
Throws ChilkatException on failure; e.getLastErrorText() (or the object's getLastErrorText()) explains why, and the object remains usable.
CreateMemoryStore
This method, available only on Microsoft Windows, creates an in-memory certificate store. Certificates may be added by calling AddCertificate.
Internally, the Microsoft function CertOpenStore is called with the provider type CERT_STORE_PROV_MEMORY to create a new in-memory certificate store. This store acts as a temporary container for managing certificates during runtime. The store exists only in memory and is not backed by a file or persistent storage. Certificates can be added, retrieved, or removed, but the store is lost when the application ends unless explicitly saved elsewhere.
Throws ChilkatException on failure; e.getLastErrorText() (or the object's getLastErrorText()) explains why, and the object remains usable.
CreateRegistryStore
This method, available only on Microsoft Windows, creates a new registry-based certificate store. You can save certificates to this store by using the AddCertificate function.
Internally, the Microsoft function CertOpenStore is called with the provider type CERT_STORE_PROV_REG and a registry key to create a new, empty certificate store in the Windows registry.
regRoot can be the string CurrentUser or LocalMachine. regPath is a registry key path such as Software/MyApplication/Certificates.
Throws ChilkatException on failure; e.getLastErrorText() (or the object's getLastErrorText()) explains why, and the object remains usable.
FindCert
Searches for a certificate using criteria from json and stores the result in cert. If multiple criteria are provided, it searches each one sequentially and returns the first match.
Preference is given to non-expired certificates, so if both expired and non-expired certificates match, the non-expired one is selected.
See the examples below for details.
Throws ChilkatException on failure; e.getLastErrorText() (or the object's getLastErrorText()) explains why, and the object remains usable.
GetCert
Loads the Nth certificate into cert. The first certificate is at index 0.
Throws ChilkatException on failure; e.getLastErrorText() (or the object's getLastErrorText()) explains why, and the object remains usable.
LoadPemFile
Loads the certificates contained within a PEM formatted file.
Throws ChilkatException on failure; e.getLastErrorText() (or the object's getLastErrorText()) explains why, and the object remains usable.
LoadPemStr
Loads the certificates contained within an in-memory PEM formatted string.
Throws ChilkatException on failure; e.getLastErrorText() (or the object's getLastErrorText()) explains why, and the object remains usable.
LoadPfxBd
Loads the PFX/P12 bytes contained in bd. password is the password to the PFX.
Throws ChilkatException on failure; e.getLastErrorText() (or the object's getLastErrorText()) explains why, and the object remains usable.
LoadPfxFile
Loads a PFX file. Once loaded, the certificates within the PFX may be searched via the Find* methods. It is also possible to iterate from 0 to NumCertficates-1, calling GetCertificate for each index, to retrieve each certificate within the PFX.
Note: This method does not import certificates into the Windows certificate stores. The purpose of this method is to load a .pfx/.p12 into this object so that other API methods can be called to explore or search the contents of the PFX. The Chilkat Pfx class also provides similar functionality.
Throws ChilkatException on failure; e.getLastErrorText() (or the object's getLastErrorText()) explains why, and the object remains usable.
OpenCurrentUserStore
On Windows, this method opens the Current-User\Personal certificate store in the registry. Set bReadOnly to true to open the store in read-only mode, which allows you to fetch certificates without adding or removing them. This prevents permission denied errors that require read-write access.
Starting in version 10.0.0, this method opens the Apple Keychain on MacOS and iOS systems. The bReadOnly is ignored.
After opening the store, you can search for certificates using the Find* methods. Alternatively, you can iterate through the certificates by indexing from 0 to NumCertificates-1, using GetCertificate to access each one.
Throws ChilkatException on failure; e.getLastErrorText() (or the object's getLastErrorText()) explains why, and the object remains usable.
OpenFileStore
(This method only available on Microsoft Windows operating systems.)
Opens a file-based certificate store.
Once loaded, the certificates within the store may be searched via the Find* methods. An application may also iterate from 0 to NumCertficates-1 and call GetCertificate to access each certificate by index.
Throws ChilkatException on failure; e.getLastErrorText() (or the object's getLastErrorText()) explains why, and the object remains usable.
OpenLocalSystemStore
(This method is only available on Microsoft Windows operating systems.)
Opens the registry-based Local-Computer\Personal certificate store. Set bReadOnly = true if only fetching certificates and not updating the certificate store (i.e. certificates will not be added or removed). Setting bReadOnly = true causes the certificate store to be opened read-only, and will prevent permission denied errors caused by the need for read-write permission.
Once loaded, the certificates within the store may be searched via the Find* methods. An application may also iterate from 0 to NumCertficates-1 and call GetCertificate to access each certificate by index.
Throws ChilkatException on failure; e.getLastErrorText() (or the object's getLastErrorText()) explains why, and the object remains usable.
OpenRegistryStore
(This method only available on Microsoft Windows operating systems.)
Opens an arbitrary registry-based certificate store. regRoot must be CurrentUser or LocalMachine. regPath is a registry path such as Software/MyApplication/Certificates.
Setting bReadOnly = true causes the certificate store to be opened read-only, and will prevent permission denied errors caused by the need for read-write permission.
Once loaded, the certificates within the store may be searched via the Find* methods. An application may also iterate from 0 to NumCertficates-1 and call GetCertificate to access each certificate by index.
Throws ChilkatException on failure; e.getLastErrorText() (or the object's getLastErrorText()) explains why, and the object remains usable.
OpenSmartcard
This function identifies connected HSM devices such as smart cards and USB tokens, and loads the certificates from each device. It has been significantly enhanced in Chilkat v10.1.2 and is compatible with Windows, MacOS, iOS, and Linux. (Android is not yet supported.)
Note: The csp is no longer used and is ignored. Applications should pass an empty string.
Note: If multiple HSM devices are connected, avoid setting the SmartCardPin property unless all devices share the same PIN. Otherwise, Chilkat will attempt to use that PIN for each device, which could cause issues.
Throws ChilkatException on failure; e.getLastErrorText() (or the object's getLastErrorText()) explains why, and the object remains usable.
OpenWindowsStore
(This method only available on Microsoft Windows operating systems.)
Opens a Microsoft Windows certificate store. storeLocation must be CurrentUser or LocalMachine. storeName is the name of the certificate store to open. It may be any of the following:
- AddressBook: Certificate store for other users.
- AuthRoot: Certificate store for third-party certification authorities (CAs).
- CertificationAuthority: Certificate store for intermediate certification authorities (CAs).
- Disallowed: Certificate store for revoked certificates.
- My: Certificate store for personal certificates.
- Root: Certificate store for trusted root certification authorities (CAs).
- TrustedPeople: Certificate store for directly trusted people and resources.
- TrustedPublisher: Certificate store for directly trusted publishers.
Setting bReadOnly = true causes the certificate store to be opened read-only, and will prevent permission denied errors caused by the need for read-write permission.
Once loaded, the certificates within the store may be searched via the Find* methods. An application may also iterate from 0 to NumCertficates-1 and call GetCertificate to access each certificate by index.
Throws ChilkatException on failure; e.getLastErrorText() (or the object's getLastErrorText()) explains why, and the object remains usable.
RemoveCertificate
(This method only available on Microsoft Windows operating systems.)
Removes the passed certificate from the store. The certificate object passed as the argument can no longer be used once removed.
Throws ChilkatException on failure; e.getLastErrorText() (or the object's getLastErrorText()) explains why, and the object remains usable.