---
name: "gnutls_pkcs11_init"
section: "3"
platform: "linux"
package: "gnutls"
version: "3.8.13-3"
release: "Arch Linux 2026-11-01"
platforms: ["linux"]
url: "https://new.carta.tech/gnutls_pkcs11_init"
---

# gnutls\_pkcs11\_init(3)

API function

## NAME

gnutls\_pkcs11\_init - API function

## SYNOPSIS

**#include \<gnutls/pkcs11.h\>**

**int gnutls\_pkcs11\_init(unsigned int** *flags***, const char \*** *deprecated\_config\_file***);**

## ARGUMENTS

- unsigned int flags

  An ORed sequence of **GNUTLS\_PKCS11\_FLAG\_**\*

- const char \* deprecated\_config\_file

  either NULL or the location of a deprecated configuration file

## DESCRIPTION

This function will initialize the PKCS 11 subsystem in gnutls. It will read configuration files if **GNUTLS\_PKCS11\_FLAG\_AUTO** is used or allow you to independently load PKCS 11 modules using **gnutls\_pkcs11\_add\_provider()** if **GNUTLS\_PKCS11\_FLAG\_MANUAL** is specified.

You don't need to call this function since GnuTLS 3.3.0 because it is being called during the first request PKCS 11 operation. That call will assume the **GNUTLS\_PKCS11\_FLAG\_AUTO** flag. If another flags are required then it must be called independently prior to any PKCS 11 operation.

## RETURNS

On success, **GNUTLS\_E\_SUCCESS** (0) is returned, otherwise a negative error value.

## SINCE

2\.12.0

## REPORTING BUGS

Report bugs to \<bugs@gnutls.org\>.\
 Home page: https://www.gnutls.org

## COPYRIGHT

Copyright © 2001-2023 Free Software Foundation, Inc., and others.\
 Copying and distribution of this file, with or without modification, are permitted in any medium without royalty provided the copyright notice and this notice are preserved.

## SEE ALSO

The full documentation for **gnutls** is maintained as a Texinfo manual. If the /usr/share/doc/gnutls/ directory does not contain the HTML form visit

- https://www.gnutls.org/manual/