fEncrypt (Function)

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Error handling
Operating mode in Windows Vista (and later)
Encrypting/Decrypting a character string

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fEncrypt (Function)

In french: fCrypte

Warning
From version 24, fCrypt is kept for backward compatibility. This function has been replaced with fEncrypt.

Encrypts a file in binary or ASCII format.

Note This file can be decrypted with fDecrypt.

Example

See additional examples

// Cryptage d'un fichier
ResCrypte = fEncrypt("C:\MesRépertoires\Fichier.txt", "C:\MesRépertoires\FichierCrypté.txt", "MotDePasse")

Syntax

<Result> = fEncrypt(<Path of file to encrypt> , <Path of encrypted file> , <Password> [, <Type of encryption> [, <Format of encrypted file>]])

<Result>: Boolean

True if encryption has been performed,
False otherwise. To get more details on the error, use ErrorInfo with the errMessage constant.

<Path of file to encrypt>: Character string

Name and full (or relative) path of the file to encrypt (up to 260 characters). A UNC path can be used.
This parameter can be in Ansi or Unicode format.

<Path of encrypted file>: Character string

Name and full (or relative) path of the encrypted file (up to 260 characters). A UNC path can be used.
This parameter can be in Ansi or Unicode format.

<Password>: Character string or Secret string

Password used to encrypt the file. This password will be used to decrypt the encrypted file (fDecrypt). A long password provides better encryption security.
New in version 2025
Secret strings: If you use the secret string vault, the type of secret string used for this parameter must be "ANSI or Unicode string".
To learn more about secret strings and how to use the vault, see Secret string vault.

<Type of encryption>: Optional constant

Indicates the type of encryption:
encryptFast
(Default value) Priority is given to the encryption speed (algorithm on 128 bits).
encryptNone No encryption is performed.
encryptRC516 Priority is given to the encryption security (RC5 algorithm on 16 rounds).
encryptSecure Priority is given to the encryption security (RC5 algorithm on 128 bits).

<Format of encrypted file>: Optional Integer constant

Indicates the format of the encrypted file:
encodeBASE64 BASE 64 format.
The file is encrypted with the BASE64 algorithm. The encrypted file will be larger (about 30%) than the initial file.
This format can be used to insert an encrypted file into the email body for example.
encodeNone or False Binary format.
The encrypted file may contain non-printable characters. The file will be larger (about 4 bytes) than the initial file.
encodePCS or True
(Default value) ASCII format.
The encrypted file will contain printable characters only. The encrypted file will be larger (about 30%) than the initial file.
This format can be used to insert an encrypted file into the email body for example.
encodeUUEncode UUEncode format.
The file is encrypted with the UUEncode algorithm. The encrypted file will be larger (about 30%) than the initial file.
This format can be used to insert an encrypted file into the email body for example.

Remarks

Error handling

fEncrypt throws an error in the following cases:

the file to encrypt does not exist,
the file to encrypt is locked,
the path of the file to encrypt is invalid,
<Password> is an empty string,
the user has no read rights on the file to encrypt,
the user has no write rights on the encrypted file.

Operating mode in Windows Vista (and later)

If this function does not work properly in Windows Vista (and later), check whether the file or directory used is not in one of the system directories (Windows directory or "Program Files" directory).

In Windows Vista (and later), with the UAC mechanism (User Account Control) enabled, you must have administrator privileges to handle and/or modify the files or directories in system directories (Windows directory or "Program Files" directory).

Programming tip: If you need to manipulate / modify files or directories, without needing administrator privileges, it is advisable:

avoid writing to the Windows directory or to the "Program Files" directory,
use the system directory of the application (returned by SysDir with the srAppDataCommun constant, for example).

Remark: Under Windows Vista (and higher), the virtualization mechanism makes applications Vista-compatible.. If the file is created in a system directory without having sufficient rights, this file will actually be created in another directory (C:\Users\<LOGIN>AppData\Local\VirtualStore\Windows\). In this case, the file cannot be shared between several applications.

Encrypting/Decrypting a character string

To encrypt/decrypt a character string, use Encrypt and Decrypt.

Related Examples:

Unit examples (WINDEV): The encryption functions

[ + ] Using the encryption/decryption functions of WINDEV.
This example is used to:
- Encrypt a character string
- Decrypt a character string

Unit examples (WINDEV Mobile): The encryption functions

[ + ] Using the WLanguage encryption and decryption functions.
This example is used to:
- Encrypt a character string
- Decrypt a character string

Component: wd300std.dll