Project Overview: Tink
Introduction
Tink is a cutting-edge cryptographic library developed by a skilled team of cryptographers and security engineers at Google. It is designed to simplify the use of cryptography in applications, aiming to make it safe and straightforward. Moving beyond traditional complexities, Tink targets reducing common pitfalls associated with cryptographic implementations. Its strong design principles focus on user-centered design, careful implementation, rigorous code reviews, and comprehensive testing. At Google, Tink is widely adopted as a standard crypto library, supporting numerous products and systems.
Current Status
Tink supports several programming languages, ensuring its adaptability across platforms. The library is considered stable and ready for production use in Java/Android, C++, Obj-C, Go, and Python. The latest stable version, 1.7.0, was released in August 2022. Although JavaScript/TypeScript is available, it remains in alpha testing and is recommended only for testing purposes, with intentions to eventually phase it out.
Getting Started
Tink's detailed documentation is available through its official site, which offers guidance on various usage scenarios, especially for Java and Python. Developers can start integrating Tink into their projects by following examples provided in the project's repository. Installation instructions per language include:
- Python:
pip3 install tink - Golang:
go get github.com/google/tink/go/... - Java: Add the Maven dependency with groupId
com.google.crypto.tinkand artifactIdtink. - Android: Utilize the dependency
com.google.crypto.tink:tink-android:1.7.0. - Objective-C/iOS: Use CocoaPods with
pod 'Tink', '1.7.0'.
Learn More
For further information or specific implementation guidance, Tink provides comprehensive resources for each language it supports:
- Java, C++, Obj-C, Go, and Python have dedicated HOW-TO documents.
- Additional resources cover security designs, supported cryptographic primitives, and key management practices.
Community Contributions
Tink's community takes the initiative to port the library to various languages not officially supported. However, while these ports may be reviewed, they are not maintained by the main Tink team. Notable community-driven ports include Clojure.
Contact and Collaboration
Developers interested in contributing or seeking interaction with the Tink team are encouraged to review the CONTRIBUTING guidelines and join the mailing list for updates and discussions.
Maintenance
Tink is maintained by a dedicated team of experts listed alphabetically, including members such as Moreno Ambrosin, Taymon Beal, Daniel Bleichenbacher, and many others. The project also acknowledges its alumni who have contributed significantly over time.
Tink stands as a robust, versatile, and user-friendly cryptographic solution, reflecting Google's commitment to security and usability.