# Class Signer

java.lang.Object
java.security.Identity
java.security.Signer

All Implemented Interfaces:
  `Serializable`, `Principal`

@Deprecated(since="1.2", forRemoval=true) public abstract class Signer extends Identity
Deprecated, for removal: This API element is subject to removal in a future version.
This class is deprecated and subject to removal in a future version of Java SE. It has been replaced by `java.security.KeyStore`, the `java.security.cert` package, and `java.security.Principal`.
This class is used to represent an Identity that can also digitally sign data.

The management of a signer's private keys is an important and sensitive issue that should be handled by subclasses as appropriate to their intended use.

Since:
  1.1
See Also:
  - `Identity`
  - Serialized Form

- ## Constructor Summary

  Constructors
  Modifier
  Constructor
  Description
  `protected`
  `Signer()`
  Deprecated, for removal: This API element is subject to removal in a future version.
  Creates a `Signer`.
  ``
  `Signer(String name)`
  Deprecated, for removal: This API element is subject to removal in a future version.
  Creates a `Signer` with the specified identity name.
  ``
  `Signer(String name, IdentityScope scope)`
  Deprecated, for removal: This API element is subject to removal in a future version.
  Creates a `Signer` with the specified identity name and scope.

- ## Method Summary

  Modifier and Type
  Method
  Description
  `PrivateKey`
  `getPrivateKey()`
  Deprecated, for removal: This API element is subject to removal in a future version.
  Returns this signer's private key.
  `final void`
  `setKeyPair(KeyPair pair)`
  Deprecated, for removal: This API element is subject to removal in a future version.
  Sets the key pair (public key and private key) for this `Signer`.
  `String`
  `toString()`
  Deprecated, for removal: This API element is subject to removal in a future version.
  Returns a string of information about the `Signer`.

  ### Methods declared in class java.security.Identity

  `addCertificate, certificates, equals, getInfo, getName, getPublicKey, getScope, hashCode, identityEquals, removeCertificate, setInfo, setPublicKey, toString`

  ### Methods declared in class java.lang.Object

  `clone, finalize, getClass, notify, notifyAll, wait, wait, wait`

  ### Methods declared in interface java.security.Principal

  `implies`

- ## Constructor Details

  - ### Signer

    protected Signer()
    Deprecated, for removal: This API element is subject to removal in a future version.
    Creates a `Signer`. This constructor should only be used for serialization.

  - ### Signer

    public Signer(String name)
    Deprecated, for removal: This API element is subject to removal in a future version.
    Creates a `Signer` with the specified identity name.
    Parameters:
      `name` - the identity name.

  - ### Signer

    public Signer(String name, IdentityScope scope) throws KeyManagementException
    Deprecated, for removal: This API element is subject to removal in a future version.
    Creates a `Signer` with the specified identity name and scope.
    Parameters:
      `name` - the identity name.
      `scope` - the scope of the identity.
    Throws:
      `KeyManagementException` - if there is already an identity with the same name in the scope.

- ## Method Details

  - ### getPrivateKey

    public PrivateKey getPrivateKey()
    Deprecated, for removal: This API element is subject to removal in a future version.
    Returns this signer's private key.
    Returns:
      this signer's private key, or `null` if the private key has not yet been set.

  - ### setKeyPair

    public final void setKeyPair(KeyPair pair) throws InvalidParameterException, KeyException
    Deprecated, for removal: This API element is subject to removal in a future version.
    Sets the key pair (public key and private key) for this `Signer`.
    Parameters:
      `pair` - an initialized key pair.
    Throws:
      `InvalidParameterException` - if the key pair is not properly initialized.
      `KeyException` - if the key pair cannot be set for any other reason.

  - ### toString

    public String toString()
    Deprecated, for removal: This API element is subject to removal in a future version.
    Returns a string of information about the `Signer`.
    Specified by:
      `toString` in interface `Principal`
    Overrides:
      `toString` in class `Identity`
    Returns:
      a string of information about the `Signer`.