keytool and self signing certificate

[Sagar Kar]

I found the following information from the sun site http://java.sun.com/j2se/1.3/docs/tooldocs/win32/keytool.html#genkeyCmd


When we use the -genkey argument the keytool "generates a key pair (a public key and associated private key). Wraps the public key into an X.509 v1 self-signed certificate, which is stored as a single-element certificate chain".

When we use the -selfcert argument the keytool "generates an X.509 v1 self-signed certificate, using keystore information including the private key and public key associated with alias".

If -genkey generates a self signed certificate what does -selfcert do?
I can't understand what actually happens between -genkey and -selfcert.
What does self sign mean in both the case?

[Joe Ess]

Please do not post the same question multiple times. Cross-posting can lead to confusion and duplication of effort.