Crypto++ and Qt

[vermarajeev]

Hi guys,

I want to use crypto++ library in a Qt application(3.3.5) developed by me.

For this I have downloded crypto5.4 version and checked the souce files
with some examples. I'm able to get the output.

Now my question is here.
I have a Qt(3.3.5) application like ms paint. It
gererates some text file which needs to be encrypted and decrypted.

There are so many algorithms provided in crypto++ that which one to
use is really confusing.


My requirement is as follows:
I have some text files which I need to encrypt and decrypt. The
encryption should be password protected which means whenever I encrypt
a file a password has to be provided by the user. The other user who
wants to read the data in that file has to first enter a correct
password. If he/she enters correct password, the file is decrypted and
read
else fails.


Now first question is
how do I use crypto++ library in my Qt project???
What is the procedure to include crypto++ library to my project???

The next question is
what algorithm is the best provided by crypto++ for the above scenario???


Details of my project::::
Language: C++
GUI : Qt ( a C++ GUI Tool )
Platform: Windows and Linux
Editor used: On Windows-->Microsoft Visual Studio .NET 2003
On Linux-->Kdevelop

I have also another doubt....In the Links section there is something called
Libraries->Qt Cryptographic Architecture. Can this help me to achieve what
crypto++ provides...If yes please let me know how I can achieve that in my Qt
application

[jacek]

What is the procedure to include crypto++ library to my project???

Add:

INCLUDEPATH += <path to crypto++ includes>
LIBS += -L<path to crypto++ lib directory> -lcrypto++

to your .pro file.

what algorithm is the best provided by crypto++ for the above scenario???

AES256 will be enough for you.

In the Links section there is something called
Libraries->Qt Cryptographic Architecture. Can this help me to achieve what
crypto++ provides...If yes please let me know how I can achieve that in my Qt
application

QCA integrates with Qt more easily and depending on the plugins it can support many different algorithms. Choose the library that fits you better.

[vermarajeev]

Add: to your .pro file.

Ok, the way what you suggested is for linux, What about Windows????? I use Microsoft Visual Studio .NET 2003 on my system. If possible with all the steps

QCA integrates with Qt more easily and depending on the plugins it can support many different algorithms. Choose the library that fits you better.

What is the best option either crypto++ or QCA.... You know my requirement as discussed in above thread. Please dont tell me "Choose the library that fits you better" .

I'm totally confused about which to use either crypto++ or QCA....I feel using QCA will be easier for me as my application is developed using Qt. I just need to encrypt and decrypt some files with password protected.
If I use external library(like crypto++) I need to care of linking it to Qt library.

Please suggest

[jacek]

Ok, the way what you suggested is for linux, What about Windows????? I use Microsoft Visual Studio .NET 2003 on my system. If possible with all the steps

It will work on windows too, provided that you use .pro files.

What is the best option either crypto++ or QCA.... You know my requirement as discussed in above thread. Please dont tell me "Choose the library that fits you better" .

But you have to choose the library, not me. Both of these libraries implement the functionality you need and both are easy to use.

Crypto++ is a single library, while QCA needs a plugin that will implement desired algorithms, so you will have to compile at least three things to make it work and you will have to distribute more files.

[vermarajeev]

It will work on windows too, provided that you use .pro files.


But you have to choose the library, not me. Both of these libraries implement the functionality you need and both are easy to use.

Crypto++ is a single library, while QCA needs a plugin that will implement desired algorithms, so you will have to compile at least three things to make it work and you will have to distribute more files.

So, I think crypto++ is better to use than QCA since I need not distribute more files

I have some idea about to use crypto++ with Qt. Please let me know if I'm wrong

On windows platform
1) In the .pro I include these statements

INCLUDEPATH += <path to crypto++ includes>
LIBS += -L<path to crypto++ lib directory> -lcrypto++

Doubt1: "path to crypto++ includes" ---> I dont want to hard code the path. What is the other alternative???

Probable Solution:According to me I'll create a directory called cryptoInclude and dump all the header files which I downloaded with crypto++. Put this folder(cryptoInclude) whereever my pro file is present, then say INCLUDEPATH += . ./cryptoInclude

Doubt2: OH, I'm confused what to do with "path to crypto++ lib directory"
Hmm! I think I need to put cryptopp( Exports Library file ) and cryptopp.dll ( Crypto++ Library Dll ) into a folder named cryptoLib. Put this folder whereever my pro file is present, then say

LIBS += -L cryptoLib -lcrypto++

2) Using the .pro file generated above create VC++ Project with this command
qmake -project -t vcapp -o proFIlename.pro

3) Load and execute the Qt application using Microsoft Visual Studio .NET 2003.

DO you think when I want to use a particular class of crypto++ library, my Qt application gets compiled.

Please bear with me if I'm talking stupid... This is my new experience
Thanks for your unserstanding

[jacek]

According to me I'll create a directory called cryptoInclude and dump all the header files which I downloaded with crypto++. Put this folder(cryptoInclude) whereever my pro file is present, then say INCLUDEPATH += . ./cryptoInclude

It should work.

I think I need to put cryptopp( Exports Library file ) and cryptopp.dll ( Crypto++ Library Dll ) into a folder named cryptoLib. Put this folder whereever my pro file is present, then say

LIBS += -L cryptoLib -lcrypto++

Yes, that's exactly what you have to do, but with just one little correction: since the import library is called cryptopp.lib, you have to use "-lcryptopp".

Using the .pro file generated above create VC++ Project with this command
qmake -project -t vcapp -o proFIlename.pro

Yes, but if you don't use .pro files at all, you can also do it directly in VC++.

DO you think when I want to use a particular class of crypto++ library, my Qt application gets compiled.

There shouldn't be any problems with it.

[vermarajeev]

Yes, but if you don't use .pro files at all, you can also do it directly in VC++.

How can I do this???? I'm using Microsoft Visual Studio .NET 2003 on my system.

Also one more very improtant problem which is troubling me again and again.

After the installation of Qt3.3.5 on windows, I should get some buttons at the top like( MOC, Open *.pro files etc) but you wont believe I dont have those butons on my editor. Now if I want to moc a file which has Q_OBJECT in it, I have to explicitly set the properties for each *.h files which is really pain...

Is there a document which can solve my this problem?????


I tried the process what I had explained you in above thread. And there are hundreds of warnings....I think I'm going somewhere wrong. I need to find out.

Waiting eagerly for a reply

[jacek]

How can I do this???? I'm using Microsoft Visual Studio .NET 2003 on my system.

Sorry, I don't know, because I don't use VS.

After the installation of Qt3.3.5 on windows, I should get some buttons at the top like( MOC, Open *.pro files etc) but you wont believe I dont have those butons on my editor.

Sounds like you didn't install the Qt-VS integration plugin.

[vermarajeev]

Hi jacek,
I tried the above process to include the INCLUDEPATH and LIBS as discussed above.

First of all
LIBS += -L<path to crypto++ lib directory> -lcryptopp
is for Qt4 and I'm using Qt3.3.5.

To correct above I used this
unix:LIBS += -lcryptopp -L/. ./cryptLib/Debug

The other important issue is
On windows I have linked crypto++ lib successfully. It created cryptopp.lib

then I tried the above process for linux. I get error like cryptopp is not found
at /usr/lib/Id

Then I realized, cryptopp.lib cannot be a library file for linux. I need to first creat a library file for linux environment then I can use above commands.

Now my question is how can I create a library file for linux same as cryptopp.lib on windows

Please help

[jacek]

First of all
LIBS += -L<path to crypto++ lib directory> -lcryptopp
is for Qt4 and I'm using Qt3.3.5.

It works for both Qt3 and Qt4.

To correct above I used this
unix:LIBS += -lcryptopp -L/. ./cryptLib/Debug

It should be:

unix:LIBS += -L/. ./cryptLib/Debug -lcryptopp

Now my question is how can I create a library file for linux same as cryptopp.lib on windows

Use the GNUmakefile file that comes with the sources.

[vermarajeev]

It works for both Qt3 and Qt4..

Oh I didnt know that. Thanks for your correction

Use the GNUmakefile file that comes with the sources.

Which sources???? Where???? What is GNUmakefile????

Please provide some document or something which can help me to solve my problem....