rsa-e / rsa-s distinction in --version output

[Len Sassaman]

On Thu, 17 Oct 2002, MindFuq wrote:

> It's strange that RSA, RSA-E, and RSA-S are all listed.  I can see
> just listing RSA for simplicity, or just listing RSA-E/S, but all
> three?  Why?  It's confusing.  If RSA-E is for encryption, and RSA-S
> is for signatures, what is meant by RSA?

"RSA" has no restrictions on it. RSA-E can only be used for encryption;
RSA-S can only be used for signing.

> case the private key is used.  The algorithm doesn't care whether it's
> a -E or -S key.

But the protocol does.

> Equally confusing, ELG and ELG-E are listed.  No ELG-S?  With the
> expert setting, I can create an ELG key that can be used to sign.

Yes, but you cannot create an ELG key that can only be used for signing.
(Though, you shouldn't be creating any ELG keys other than ELG-E).