---
title: "SecCertificateCopyLongDescription(_:_:_:)"
framework: security
role: symbol
role_heading: Function
path: "security/seccertificatecopylongdescription(_:_:_:)"
---

# SecCertificateCopyLongDescription(_:_:_:)

Returns a copy of the long description of a certificate.

## Declaration

```swift
func SecCertificateCopyLongDescription(_ alloc: CFAllocator?, _ certificate: SecCertificate, _ error: UnsafeMutablePointer<Unmanaged<CFError>?>?) -> CFString?
```

## Parameters

- `alloc`: The allocator that should be used. Pass NULL or doc://com.apple.documentation/documentation/CoreFoundation/kCFAllocatorDefault to use the default allocator.
- `certificate`: The certificate from which the long description should be copied.
- `error`: A pointer to a doc://com.apple.documentation/documentation/CoreFoundation/CFError variable where an error object is stored upon failure. If not NULL, the caller is responsible for checking this variable and releasing the resulting object if it exists.

## Return Value

Return Value A string object containing the long description, or NULL if an error occurred. In Objective-C, free this object with a call to the CFRelease function when you are done with it.

## Discussion

Discussion The format of this string is not guaranteed to be consistent across different operating systems or versions. Do not attempt to parse it programmatically.