title: How should I create my DES key? Why is an 7-character string not enough?
body: <p>I'm having a bit of difficulty getting an understand of key length requirements in cryptography. I'm currently using DES which I believe is 56 bits... now, by converting an 8 character password to a <code>byte[]</code> my cryptography works. If I use a 7 digit password, it doesn't.</p>
  
  <p>Now, forgive me if I'm wrong, but is that because ASCII characters are 7 bits, therefor 8 * 7 = 56bits?</p>
  
  <p>That just doesn't seem right to me. If I want to use a key, why can I not just pass in a salted hash of my secret key, i.e. an MD5 hash?</p>
  
  <p>I'm sure this is very simple, but I can't get a clear understanding of what's going on.</p>