Question

I’ve been trying to convert a byte array to its original SecretKey, but I’ve no more ideas left. The most promising attempt was this one:

byte[] encodedKey     = Base64.decode(stringKey);
SecretKey originalKey = SecretKeySpec(encodedKey, 0, encodedKey.length, "AES")

found here: Converting Secret Key into a String and Vice Versa

I’m using the import javax.crypto.spec.SecretKeySpec, so the constructor for SecretKeySpec should be used correctly, at least referring to http://docs.oracle.com/javase/1.5.0/docs/api/javax/crypto/spec/SecretKeySpec.html.

Nonetheless I always get “The Method SecretKeySpec is undefined for … [Class Name]” – which I just don’t get.

I’m guessing it’s just some minor mistake, but I just can’t figure it out. Can someone please help me out here?

Answer 1

You need to use the new keyword to call the constructor and create the object.

SecretKey originalKey = new SecretKeySpec(encodedKey, 0, encodedKey.length, "AES");

When you try to call it without new, the compiler thinks it might be a method you’ve defined inside that class, hence your error message.