Re: Difference between encoding and encryption?

Here's the primary difference, which is largely functional:

While it is true that all you are essentially doing is exchanging one set of symbols for another, there is a function involved which makes all the difference.

When you encode something the function is directly reversible, such that:

data * func = data`
data` * func = data

Of course, that's an oversimplification, but you get the idea. You use the same index chart for translating both ways.

encryption involves 2 functions:

data * func(yourPublicKey, myPrivateKey) = data`
BUT
data` * func(yourPublicKey, myPrivateKey) != data
Which is the point:
data` * func(yourPrivateKey, myPublicKey) = data


Wait! This isn't a Parachute, this is a Backpack!

[tilly]

While RSA encryption works as you describe, with public and private keys, many other forms of encryption use a single key and a reversible operation for encrypting/decrypting.

In general symmetric ciphers are considered harder to break than asymmetric ones of similar length. They are also often simpler to compute.

[Anonymous Monk]

actually how the RSA-OAEP work??? i still can't find on the web 1?? especially the OAEP the encode method.. really hard to understand... any 1 can help me?