# Key Generation and Conversion Overview


Typical key generation operations involve the following:


- Randomly create a key object for subsequent encryption and decryption.

- Convert external or internal binary data into a key object for subsequent encryption and decryption.

- Create a key object based on the specified key parameter for subsequent encryption and decryption.

- Obtain the binary data of a key object for storage or transmission.

- Obtain the properties of an asymmetric key object for storage or transmission. 


The key object can be a symmetric key object (**SymKey**) or an asymmetric key pair object (**KeyPair**). The **KeyPair** object consists a public key (**PubKey**) and a private key (**PriKey**).