Signature (Java Platform SE 8 )
Keywords: java.security.Signature class
Date: 2026-04-17

compact1, compact2, compact3
java.security

## Class Signature

- java.lang.Object
- - java.security.SignatureSpi
  - - java.security.Signature

-     public abstract class Signature
      extends SignatureSpi

  The Signature class is used to provide applications the functionality of a digital signature algorithm. Digital signatures are used for authentication and integrity assurance of digital data.

  The signature algorithm can be, among others, the NIST standard DSA, using DSA and SHA-256. The DSA algorithm using the SHA-256 message digest algorithm can be specified as `SHA256withDSA`. In the case of RSA the signing algorithm could be specified as, for example, `SHA256withRSA`. The algorithm name must be specified, as there is no default.

  A Signature object can be used to generate and verify digital signatures.

  There are three phases to the use of a Signature object for either signing data or verifying a signature:

  1. Initialization, with either
     - a public key, which initializes the signature for verification (see `initVerify`), or
     - a private key (and optionally a Secure Random Number Generator), which initializes the signature for signing (see `initSign(PrivateKey)` and `initSign(PrivateKey, SecureRandom)`).
  2. Updating

     Depending on the type of initialization, this will update the bytes to be signed or verified. See the `update` methods.

  3. Signing or Verifying a signature on all updated bytes. See the `sign` methods and the `verify` method.

  Note that this class is abstract and extends from `SignatureSpi` for historical reasons. Application developers should only take notice of the methods defined in this `Signature` class; all the methods in the superclass are intended for cryptographic service providers who wish to supply their own implementations of digital signature algorithms.

  Every implementation of the Java platform is required to support the following standard `Signature` algorithms:

  - `SHA1withDSA`
  - `SHA1withRSA`
  - `SHA256withRSA`
  These algorithms are described in the Signature section of the Java Cryptography Architecture Standard Algorithm Name Documentation. Consult the release documentation for your implementation to see if any other algorithms are supported.

- - ### Field Summary

    Fields
    Modifier and Type | Field and Description
    --- | ---
    `protected static int` | `SIGN` Possible `state` value, signifying that this signature object has been initialized for signing.
    `protected int` | `state` Current state of this signature object.
    `protected static int` | `UNINITIALIZED` Possible `state` value, signifying that this signature object has not yet been initialized.
    `protected static int` | `VERIFY` Possible `state` value, signifying that this signature object has been initialized for verification.

    - ### Fields inherited from class java.security.SignatureSpi

      `appRandom`

  - ### Constructor Summary

    Constructors
    Modifier | Constructor and Description
    --- | ---
    `protected` | `Signature(String algorithm)` Creates a Signature object for the specified algorithm.

  - ### Method Summary

    All Methods Static Methods Instance Methods Concrete Methods Deprecated Methods
    Modifier and Type | Method and Description
    --- | ---
    `Object` | `clone()` Returns a clone if the implementation is cloneable.
    `String` | `getAlgorithm()` Returns the name of the algorithm for this signature object.
    `static Signature` | `getInstance(String algorithm)` Returns a Signature object that implements the specified signature algorithm.
    `static Signature` | `getInstance(String algorithm, Provider provider)` Returns a Signature object that implements the specified signature algorithm.
    `static Signature` | `getInstance(String algorithm, String provider)` Returns a Signature object that implements the specified signature algorithm.
    `Object` | `getParameter(String param)` Deprecated.
    `AlgorithmParameters` | `getParameters()` Returns the parameters used with this signature object.
    `Provider` | `getProvider()` Returns the provider of this signature object.
    `void` | `initSign(PrivateKey privateKey)` Initialize this object for signing.
    `void` | `initSign(PrivateKey privateKey, SecureRandom random)` Initialize this object for signing.
    `void` | `initVerify(Certificate certificate)` Initializes this object for verification, using the public key from the given certificate.
    `void` | `initVerify(PublicKey publicKey)` Initializes this object for verification.
    `void` | `setParameter(AlgorithmParameterSpec params)` Initializes this signature engine with the specified parameter set.
    `void` | `setParameter(String param, Object value)` Deprecated. Use `setParameter`.
    `byte[]` | `sign()` Returns the signature bytes of all the data updated.
    `int` | `sign(byte[] outbuf, int offset, int len)` Finishes the signature operation and stores the resulting signature bytes in the provided buffer `outbuf`, starting at `offset`.
    `String` | `toString()` Returns a string representation of this signature object, providing information that includes the state of the object and the name of the algorithm used.
    `void` | `update(byte b)` Updates the data to be signed or verified by a byte.
    `void` | `update(byte[] data)` Updates the data to be signed or verified, using the specified array of bytes.
    `void` | `update(byte[] data, int off, int len)` Updates the data to be signed or verified, using the specified array of bytes, starting at the specified offset.
    `void` | `update(ByteBuffer data)` Updates the data to be signed or verified using the specified ByteBuffer.
    `boolean` | `verify(byte[] signature)` Verifies the passed-in signature.
    `boolean` | `verify(byte[] signature, int offset, int length)` Verifies the passed-in signature in the specified array of bytes, starting at the specified offset.

    - ### Methods inherited from class java.security.SignatureSpi

      `engineGetParameter, engineGetParameters, engineInitSign, engineInitSign, engineInitVerify, engineSetParameter, engineSetParameter, engineSign, engineSign, engineUpdate, engineUpdate, engineUpdate, engineVerify, engineVerify`

    - ### Methods inherited from class java.lang.Object

      `equals, finalize, getClass, hashCode, notify, notifyAll, wait, wait, wait`

- - ### Field Detail

    - #### UNINITIALIZED

          protected static final int UNINITIALIZED

      Possible `state` value, signifying that this signature object has not yet been initialized.
      See Also:
        Constant Field Values

    - #### SIGN

          protected static final int SIGN

      Possible `state` value, signifying that this signature object has been initialized for signing.
      See Also:
        Constant Field Values

    - #### VERIFY

          protected static final int VERIFY

      Possible `state` value, signifying that this signature object has been initialized for verification.
      See Also:
        Constant Field Values

    - #### state

          protected int state

      Current state of this signature object.

  - ### Constructor Detail

    - #### Signature

          protected Signature(String algorithm)

      Creates a Signature object for the specified algorithm.
      Parameters:
        `algorithm` - the standard string name of the algorithm. See the Signature section in the Java Cryptography Architecture Standard Algorithm Name Documentation for information about standard algorithm names.

  - ### Method Detail

    - #### getInstance

          public static Signature getInstance(String algorithm)
                                       throws NoSuchAlgorithmException

      Returns a Signature object that implements the specified signature algorithm.

      This method traverses the list of registered security Providers, starting with the most preferred Provider. A new Signature object encapsulating the SignatureSpi implementation from the first Provider that supports the specified algorithm is returned.

      Note that the list of registered providers may be retrieved via the `Security.getProviders()` method.

      Parameters:
        `algorithm` - the standard name of the algorithm requested. See the Signature section in the Java Cryptography Architecture Standard Algorithm Name Documentation for information about standard algorithm names.
      Returns:
        the new Signature object.
      Throws:
        `NoSuchAlgorithmException` - if no Provider supports a Signature implementation for the specified algorithm.
      See Also:
        `Provider`

    - #### getInstance

          public static Signature getInstance(String algorithm,
                                              String provider)
                                       throws NoSuchAlgorithmException,
                                              NoSuchProviderException

      Returns a Signature object that implements the specified signature algorithm.

      A new Signature object encapsulating the SignatureSpi implementation from the specified provider is returned. The specified provider must be registered in the security provider list.

      Note that the list of registered providers may be retrieved via the `Security.getProviders()` method.

      Parameters:
        `algorithm` - the name of the algorithm requested. See the Signature section in the Java Cryptography Architecture Standard Algorithm Name Documentation for information about standard algorithm names.
        `provider` - the name of the provider.
      Returns:
        the new Signature object.
      Throws:
        `NoSuchAlgorithmException` - if a SignatureSpi implementation for the specified algorithm is not available from the specified provider.
        `NoSuchProviderException` - if the specified provider is not registered in the security provider list.
        `IllegalArgumentException` - if the provider name is null or empty.
      See Also:
        `Provider`

    - #### getInstance

          public static Signature getInstance(String algorithm,
                                              Provider provider)
                                       throws NoSuchAlgorithmException

      Returns a Signature object that implements the specified signature algorithm.

      A new Signature object encapsulating the SignatureSpi implementation from the specified Provider object is returned. Note that the specified Provider object does not have to be registered in the provider list.

      Parameters:
        `algorithm` - the name of the algorithm requested. See the Signature section in the Java Cryptography Architecture Standard Algorithm Name Documentation for information about standard algorithm names.
        `provider` - the provider.
      Returns:
        the new Signature object.
      Throws:
        `NoSuchAlgorithmException` - if a SignatureSpi implementation for the specified algorithm is not available from the specified Provider object.
        `IllegalArgumentException` - if the provider is null.
      Since:
        1.4
      See Also:
        `Provider`

    - #### getProvider

          public final Provider getProvider()

      Returns the provider of this signature object.
      Returns:
        the provider of this signature object

    - #### initVerify

          public final void initVerify(PublicKey publicKey)
                                throws InvalidKeyException

      Initializes this object for verification. If this method is called again with a different argument, it negates the effect of this call.
      Parameters:
        `publicKey` - the public key of the identity whose signature is going to be verified.
      Throws:
        `InvalidKeyException` - if the key is invalid.

    - #### initVerify

          public final void initVerify(Certificate certificate)
                                throws InvalidKeyException

      Initializes this object for verification, using the public key from the given certificate.

      If the certificate is of type X.509 and has a key usage extension field marked as critical, and the value of the key usage extension field implies that the public key in the certificate and its corresponding private key are not supposed to be used for digital signatures, an `InvalidKeyException` is thrown.

      Parameters:
        `certificate` - the certificate of the identity whose signature is going to be verified.
      Throws:
        `InvalidKeyException` - if the public key in the certificate is not encoded properly or does not include required parameter information or cannot be used for digital signature purposes.
      Since:
        1.3

    - #### initSign

          public final void initSign(PrivateKey privateKey)
                              throws InvalidKeyException

      Initialize this object for signing. If this method is called again with a different argument, it negates the effect of this call.
      Parameters:
        `privateKey` - the private key of the identity whose signature is going to be generated.
      Throws:
        `InvalidKeyException` - if the key is invalid.

    - #### initSign

          public final void initSign(PrivateKey privateKey,
                                     SecureRandom random)
                              throws InvalidKeyException

      Initialize this object for signing. If this method is called again with a different argument, it negates the effect of this call.
      Parameters:
        `privateKey` - the private key of the identity whose signature is going to be generated.
        `random` - the source of randomness for this signature.
      Throws:
        `InvalidKeyException` - if the key is invalid.

    - #### sign

          public final byte[] sign()
                            throws SignatureException

      Returns the signature bytes of all the data updated. The format of the signature depends on the underlying signature scheme.

      A call to this method resets this signature object to the state it was in when previously initialized for signing via a call to `initSign(PrivateKey)`. That is, the object is reset and available to generate another signature from the same signer, if desired, via new calls to `update` and `sign`.

      Returns:
        the signature bytes of the signing operation's result.
      Throws:
        `SignatureException` - if this signature object is not initialized properly or if this signature algorithm is unable to process the input data provided.

    - #### sign

          public final int sign(byte[] outbuf,
                                int offset,
                                int len)
                         throws SignatureException

      Finishes the signature operation and stores the resulting signature bytes in the provided buffer `outbuf`, starting at `offset`. The format of the signature depends on the underlying signature scheme.

      This signature object is reset to its initial state (the state it was in after a call to one of the `initSign` methods) and can be reused to generate further signatures with the same private key.

      Parameters:
        `outbuf` - buffer for the signature result.
        `offset` - offset into `outbuf` where the signature is stored.
        `len` - number of bytes within `outbuf` allotted for the signature.
      Returns:
        the number of bytes placed into `outbuf`.
      Throws:
        `SignatureException` - if this signature object is not initialized properly, if this signature algorithm is unable to process the input data provided, or if `len` is less than the actual signature length.
      Since:
        1.2

    - #### verify

          public final boolean verify(byte[] signature)
                               throws SignatureException

      Verifies the passed-in signature.

      A call to this method resets this signature object to the state it was in when previously initialized for verification via a call to `initVerify(PublicKey)`. That is, the object is reset and available to verify another signature from the identity whose public key was specified in the call to `initVerify`.

      Parameters:
        `signature` - the signature bytes to be verified.
      Returns:
        true if the signature was verified, false if not.
      Throws:
        `SignatureException` - if this signature object is not initialized properly, the passed-in signature is improperly encoded or of the wrong type, if this signature algorithm is unable to process the input data provided, etc.

    - #### verify

          public final boolean verify(byte[] signature,
                                      int offset,
                                      int length)
                               throws SignatureException

      Verifies the passed-in signature in the specified array of bytes, starting at the specified offset.

      A call to this method resets this signature object to the state it was in when previously initialized for verification via a call to `initVerify(PublicKey)`. That is, the object is reset and available to verify another signature from the identity whose public key was specified in the call to `initVerify`.

      Parameters:
        `signature` - the signature bytes to be verified.
        `offset` - the offset to start from in the array of bytes.
        `length` - the number of bytes to use, starting at offset.
      Returns:
        true if the signature was verified, false if not.
      Throws:
        `SignatureException` - if this signature object is not initialized properly, the passed-in signature is improperly encoded or of the wrong type, if this signature algorithm is unable to process the input data provided, etc.
        `IllegalArgumentException` - if the `signature` byte array is `null`, or the `offset` or `length` is less than 0, or the sum of the `offset` and `length` is greater than the length of the `signature` byte array.
      Since:
        1.4

    - #### update

          public final void update(byte b)
                            throws SignatureException

      Updates the data to be signed or verified by a byte.
      Parameters:
        `b` - the byte to use for the update.
      Throws:
        `SignatureException` - if this signature object is not initialized properly.

    - #### update

          public final void update(byte[] data)
                            throws SignatureException

      Updates the data to be signed or verified, using the specified array of bytes.
      Parameters:
        `data` - the byte array to use for the update.
      Throws:
        `SignatureException` - if this signature object is not initialized properly.

    - #### update

          public final void update(byte[] data,
                                   int off,
                                   int len)
                            throws SignatureException

      Updates the data to be signed or verified, using the specified array of bytes, starting at the specified offset.
      Parameters:
        `data` - the array of bytes.
        `off` - the offset to start from in the array of bytes.
        `len` - the number of bytes to use, starting at offset.
      Throws:
        `SignatureException` - if this signature object is not initialized properly.

    - #### update

          public final void update(ByteBuffer data)
                            throws SignatureException

      Updates the data to be signed or verified using the specified ByteBuffer. Processes the `data.remaining()` bytes starting at at `data.position()`. Upon return, the buffer's position will be equal to its limit; its limit will not have changed.
      Parameters:
        `data` - the ByteBuffer
      Throws:
        `SignatureException` - if this signature object is not initialized properly.
      Since:
        1.5

    - #### getAlgorithm

          public final String getAlgorithm()

      Returns the name of the algorithm for this signature object.
      Returns:
        the name of the algorithm for this signature object.

    - #### toString

          public String toString()

      Returns a string representation of this signature object, providing information that includes the state of the object and the name of the algorithm used.
      Overrides:
        `toString` in class `Object`
      Returns:
        a string representation of this signature object.

    - #### setParameter

          @Deprecated
          public final void setParameter(String param,
                                                     Object value)
                                              throws InvalidParameterException

      Deprecated. Use `setParameter`.
      Sets the specified algorithm parameter to the specified value. This method supplies a general-purpose mechanism through which it is possible to set the various parameters of this object. A parameter may be any settable parameter for the algorithm, such as a parameter size, or a source of random bits for signature generation (if appropriate), or an indication of whether or not to perform a specific but optional computation. A uniform algorithm-specific naming scheme for each parameter is desirable but left unspecified at this time.
      Parameters:
        `param` - the string identifier of the parameter.
        `value` - the parameter value.
      Throws:
        `InvalidParameterException` - if `param` is an invalid parameter for this signature algorithm engine, the parameter is already set and cannot be set again, a security exception occurs, and so on.
      See Also:
        `getParameter(java.lang.String)`

    - #### setParameter

          public final void setParameter(AlgorithmParameterSpec params)
                                  throws InvalidAlgorithmParameterException

      Initializes this signature engine with the specified parameter set.
      Parameters:
        `params` - the parameters
      Throws:
        `InvalidAlgorithmParameterException` - if the given parameters are inappropriate for this signature engine
      See Also:
        `getParameters()`

    - #### getParameters

          public final AlgorithmParameters getParameters()

      Returns the parameters used with this signature object.

      If this signature has been previously initialized with parameters (by calling the `setParameter` method), this method returns the same parameters. If this signature has not been initialized with parameters, this method may return a combination of default and randomly generated parameter values if the underlying signature implementation supports it and can successfully generate them. Otherwise, `null` is returned.

      Returns:
        the parameters used with this signature, or `null`
      Since:
        1.4
      See Also:
        `setParameter(AlgorithmParameterSpec)`

    - #### getParameter

          @Deprecated
          public final Object getParameter(String param)
                                                throws InvalidParameterException

      Deprecated.
      Gets the value of the specified algorithm parameter. This method supplies a general-purpose mechanism through which it is possible to get the various parameters of this object. A parameter may be any settable parameter for the algorithm, such as a parameter size, or a source of random bits for signature generation (if appropriate), or an indication of whether or not to perform a specific but optional computation. A uniform algorithm-specific naming scheme for each parameter is desirable but left unspecified at this time.
      Parameters:
        `param` - the string name of the parameter.
      Returns:
        the object that represents the parameter value, or `null` if there is none.
      Throws:
        `InvalidParameterException` - if `param` is an invalid parameter for this engine, or another exception occurs while trying to get this parameter.
      See Also:
        `setParameter(String, Object)`

    - #### clone

          public Object clone()
                       throws CloneNotSupportedException

      Returns a clone if the implementation is cloneable.
      Overrides:
        `clone` in class `SignatureSpi`
      Returns:
        a clone if the implementation is cloneable.
      Throws:
        `CloneNotSupportedException` - if this is called on an implementation that does not support `Cloneable`.
      See Also:
        `Cloneable`

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