 - 1) In cryptography, a key is a variable value that is applied using an algorithm to a string or block of unencrypted text to produce encrypted text, or to decrypt encrypted text. The length of the key is a factor in considering how difficult it will be to decrypt the text in a given message.
2) In a database context, a key is a field that is selected for sorting. A primary key is a key that is unique for each record and is, as such, used to access that record; a foreign key is one that targets a primary key in another table.
| LAST UPDATED: |
27 Oct 2003
|
|
Do you have something to add to this definition? Let us know.
Send your comments to techterms@whatis.com
|
|
