XI. Crack functions

These functions allow you to use the CrackLib library to test the 'strength' of a password. In order to use these functions, you must compile PHP with Crack support by using the --with-crack[=DIR] option.

More information regarding CrackLib along with the library can be found at http://www.users.dircon.co.uk/~crypto/.

Cracklib is useful in testing the 'strength' of a password that checks length, use of upper and lower case and a check against the specified CrackLib dictionary. CrackLib will also give helpful diagnostic messages that will help 'strengthen' the password.

This example shows how to open a CrackLib dictionary, test a given password, retrieve any diagnostic messages, and close the dictionary.

Example 1. CrackLib example <?php // Open CrackLib Dictionary $dictionary = crack_opendict('/usr/local/lib/pw_dict') or die('Unable to open CrackLib dictionary'); // Perform password check $check = crack_check($dictionary, 'gx9A2s0x'); // Retrieve messages $diag = crack_getlastmessage(); echo $diag; // 'strong password' // Close dictionary crack_closedict($dictionary); ?>