Re: Q: One-way functions

From: Bryan Olson (bryanjugglercryptographer@yahoo.com)
Date: 03/31/03 

From: bryanjugglercryptographer@yahoo.com (Bryan Olson)
Date: 30 Mar 2003 17:58:27 -0800

Mok-Kong Shen asked
> In AC (1996 edition) Schneier wrote:
>
> If we are being strictly mathematical, we have no proof
> that one-way functions exist, nor any real evidence that
> they can be constructed.
>
> Have researches in the meantime ameriolated in 'any' sense
> that picture?

There's a sense in which the quote is false, but in the sense
Schneier meant, the answer is no. Whether one-way functions exist
(as they are typically defined in cryptology) is still open.

> Any references?

Stating what? That it hasn't been settled as of yesterday?

Note that the existence of a one-way function implies P != NP.
Finding one and proving it is one would be a big deal. 

-- 
--Bryan