What is SSLContext in Java?

SSLContext in Java is a class that provides a secure socket protocol implementation for SSL (Secure Sockets Layer) and TLS (Transport Layer Security). It serves as a factory for creating secure sockets, allowing developers to configure SSL/TLS settings such as trust managers, key managers, and secure random number generators.

With SSLContext, developers can establish secure connections in their Java applications by handling SSL handshake processes. This is essential for ensuring data integrity and encryption over networks.

        try {
            // Create an SSLContext with the default settings
            SSLContext sslContext = SSLContext.getInstance("TLS");
            
            // Initialize the SSLContext for key and trust managers
            sslContext.init(null, null, new java.security.SecureRandom());

            // Create an SSLSocketFactory from the SSLContext
            SSLSocketFactory factory = sslContext.getSocketFactory();

            // Use the factory to create secure sockets
            SSLSocket socket = (SSLSocket) factory.createSocket("example.com", 443);
            socket.startHandshake();
            
            // Secure connection established, you can now communicate securely
        } catch (Exception e) {
            e.printStackTrace();
        }