---
name: "gnutls_privkey_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_privkey_init"
---

# gnutls\_privkey\_init(3)

API function

## NAME

gnutls\_privkey\_init - API function

## SYNOPSIS

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

**int gnutls\_privkey\_init(gnutls\_privkey\_t \*** *key***);**

## ARGUMENTS

- gnutls\_privkey\_t \* key

  A pointer to the type to be initialized

## DESCRIPTION

This function will initialize a private key object. The object can be used to generate, import, and perform cryptographic operations on the associated private key.

Note that when the underlying private key is a PKCS**11** key (i.e., when imported with a PKCS**11** URI), the limitations of **gnutls\_pkcs11\_privkey\_init()** apply to this object as well. In versions of GnuTLS later than 3.5.11 the object is protected using locks and a single **gnutls\_privkey\_t** can be re-used by many threads. However, for performance it is recommended to utilize one object per key per thread.

## 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/