File: gnupg.info,  Node: Invoking GPG,  Next: Invoking GPGSM,  Prev: Invoking DIRMNGR,  Up: Top

4 Invoking GPG
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'gpg' is the OpenPGP part of the GNU Privacy Guard (GnuPG). It is a tool
to provide digital encryption and signing services using the OpenPGP
standard.  'gpg' features complete key management and all the bells and
whistles you would expect from a full OpenPGP implementation.

   There are two main versions of GnuPG: GnuPG 1.x and GnuPG 2.x.  GnuPG
2.x supports modern encryption algorithms and thus should be preferred
over GnuPG 1.x.  You only need to use GnuPG 1.x if your platform doesn't
support GnuPG 2.x, or you need support for some features that GnuPG 2.x
has deprecated, e.g., decrypting data created with PGP-2 keys.

   If you are looking for version 1 of GnuPG, you may find that version
installed under the name 'gpg1'.

   *Note Option Index::, for an index to 'gpg''s commands and options.

* Menu:

* GPG Commands::            List of all commands.
* GPG Options::             List of all options.
* GPG Configuration::       Configuration files.
* GPG Examples::            Some usage examples.

Developer information:
* Unattended Usage of GPG:: Using 'gpg' from other programs.