Classification of cryptographic libraries

Abstract

Software developers today are faced with choosing cryptographic libraries in order to implement security concepts. There is a large variety of cryptographic libraries for diverse programming languages, without there being a standardized conception of different properties of these cryptographic libraries. This report provides a classification of over 700 cryptographic libraries. The libraries were chosen pertaining to currentness and popularity. In order to provide a standardized overview the most important traits and characteristics of these libraries were gathered and defined. Data collection on these characteristics was performed in a manual as well as automated fashion. The classification contains information that will help experienced and inexperienced developers in the cryptographic field to choose a library that fits their abilities. Furthermore, it may be used as a basis for studies concerning any form of improvement of these libraries and many more.