making key on preapring release ready apk: android

Question

I have the app ready so trying to sign it. I read the dev docs. Am using eclipse and adt so started using export. Am able to export a sample app. While exporting they says to have the key. I have created a new file and proceeded and finally I got the output apk. Once whn I opened the key file, I cant read anything. So I am confused.. Will it be readable?? or like the same? Please tell me about the certificate they are mentioning on signing the app, is this same as the one, the file I have created?? Thanks in advance..

Answer 1

Once whn I opened the key file, I cant read anything. So I am confused.. Will it be readable??

Your keystore file (e.g. mykeystore.keystore) should not be readable in a text editor or other such program.

Please tell me about the certificate they are mentioning on signing the app, is this same as the one, the file I have created??

Once you have finished signing your APK using your keystore (see Signing your Application), the APK will contain a META-INF directory that contains a CERT.RSA file, which is the application's certificate. You don't need to worry about this file at all, and it is automatically generated by keytool when you sign your APK.

Your private key (see Obtain a Private Key) is also referred to as your signing certificate, and is what is stored in the keystore. This is the key that you use to sign your application. After you have generated this key using keytool, you shouldn't need to worry about it anymore.