DES Algorithm [Resolved]

[ntg]

Hey all,

I need to use the DES algorithm in a VB.Net application that's going to be deployed to a PDA. However, I was unpleasantly surprised when I found out that the System.Security.Cryptography namespace is severely crippled in the compact .Net framework.

Anyone knows a workaround ? Alternatively, anyone has a URL to the source of a VB implementation of the DES algorithm ? I already have C/Delphi/Whathaveya implementations but because of the nature of DES it's going to be a pain to translate to VB.

Cheers,
NTG

[ntg]

Bump. Is it possible that no one ever wanted to DES-encrypt something on a PDA using .Net ?

[Shaggy Hiker]

Actually, I can't remember what the DES TLA stands for. Since it is encryption, I can guess, and my guess suggests why I don't know, but tell me what it is, and I'll tell you why I've never needed it for a PDA to date.


The answer won't be of much interest, though

[ntg]

What's a TLA ?

DES is data encryption standard. Is that what you were asking ?

The whole thing seems unreal...I can't think of a reason why this was left out of the compact framework.

[Shaggy Hiker]

TLA: Three Letter Acronym

Is DES the encryption for the source code?

I'm surprised at several of the things left out of the CF.

[ntg]

It's a symmetric encryption algorithm, typically used to encrypt 64-bit blocks. DES and Triple DES are still very widely used and I really can't think a good reason why this got left out.

[ntg]

For anyone interested, attached is a class that implements DES. Original was in VB5/6 and since I'm in a hurry, I did the least rework/rewrite I could get away with. Original coder is David Midkiff.

Cheers,
NTG