Cryptography and Compression

Hi,

I have a project involves in file compression and encryption (generate asymmetric key for file transfer).

Which API should I use in C++?

Which good book or online material for this topic?

If there are C, C++, VC++ and C# for selection, which programming language is the best in this topic?

Thanks for any advice.

Might want to look at "Applied Cryptography" by Bruce Schneier, or the "Handbook of Applied Cryptography", which is available online.