AES Key length -- Newbie question

I want to use AES256 encryption. I have it working, but it requires a key of 32 characters exactly.

I have used many software products that claim to use AES256 encryption, but can have a password of any length. How do they do it?  7-zip is one example.

Thanks

Hello Fred,
You either need to use PBKDF2 or Argon2 in TMS CP with your password (a few other parameters that you need to store or remember). These functions will generate a key from the password and, with the appropriate format, the key can be used for the AES or any other symmetric algorithm.
Regards,
bernard

Thank.

Any suggestions for coming up with the Salt?  what is usually used to generate it?

Hi Fred,
You can generate the salt with RandomBuffer or force it to a value of yours.
Regards,
bernard