Algorithm behind MD5Crypt

Question

I'm working with Subversion based on Windows and would like to write an easy utility in .NET for working with the Apache password file. I understand that it uses a function referred to as MD5Crypt, but I can't seem to find a description of the algorithm beyond that at some point it uses MD5 to create a hash.

Can someone describe the MD5Crypt algorithm and password line format?

Answer 1

A precise textual description of the crypt algorithm updated for use with sha256 and sha512 is at http://www.akkadia.org/drepper/SHA-crypt.txt

It includes contrasts with the MD5 algorithm, so it should give you what you're looking for.