Mmastodon BusinessCrypto first seen 1 d ago, last 18 h ago, peak #7
Certificate validity dates spark DER encoding debate
Original: The validity period is the only part of a certificate written as text. Everything else DER encodes is... # python # fint
Developers are highlighting a quirk of X.509 digital certificates: the validity period is the only field represented as human-readable text, while everything else is strictly DER-encoded binary. The point being made is that a strict DER parser effectively needs calendar logic, not just clock logic, to handle dates correctly. The observation has drawn attention among programmers working in Python, fintech and cryptography, who see it as a neat example of how messy real-world standards can be.
Why now: It is a surprising technical detail about certificate encoding that resonates with developers and security engineers.
Evidence
- The validity period is the only part of a certificate written as text. Everything else DER encodes is... # python # fintech # crypto # architecture # software # coding # development # engineering # inclusive # community A strict DER reader needs a calendar, not a clock · hackaday@www.urbanmind.net · 2
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