(1/7) Computer Science 101: Hash Functions
What is a hash function? What are the characteristics of a good hash function? Where do hash functions appear and why do I hear about them all the time?
If you want to understand the fundamental tool of crypto, this guide is for you!
What is a hash function? What are the characteristics of a good hash function? Where do hash functions appear and why do I hear about them all the time?
If you want to understand the fundamental tool of crypto, this guide is for you!
(2/7) The purpose of a hash function is to transform any amount of data into a compact, uniform value. The input can be of arbitrary length but the output is always the same length.
The length is decided by the hash function; it can be as small or large as desired.
The length is decided by the hash function; it can be as small or large as desired.
(3/7) Hash functions have many different uses, but all uses rely on the same fundamental properties:
- quick and efficient to compute
- outputs should be randomly distributed between all possible outputs
- difficult (if not impossible) to reverse engineer an input from an output
- quick and efficient to compute
- outputs should be randomly distributed between all possible outputs
- difficult (if not impossible) to reverse engineer an input from an output
(4/7) If your hashing function has an output with 3 characters and you feed it 1MM pieces of data, much of it will result in the same output.
However, if the output is long enough, a good hash function will have no collisions (two inputs resulting in the same output).
However, if the output is long enough, a good hash function will have no collisions (two inputs resulting in the same output).
(5/7) With a strong hashing function, we have the ability to take any data and compress it into a verifiable signature.
If the data is public, then anyone can recreate the signature and verify that the data matches its label.
If the data is public, then anyone can recreate the signature and verify that the data matches its label.
(6/7) If the data is private, it can form the basis of identity.
Any private information fed into a (good) hash function will instantly become lost but form the basis of a unique, un-replicable signature.
Any private information fed into a (good) hash function will instantly become lost but form the basis of a unique, un-replicable signature.
(7/7) From here, we can go further: signatures created by two private identities can create a 3rd shared secret - the basis of encryption.
Encryption, cryptography, cryptocurrency When it comes down to it... hash functions are the foundation of crypto!
tutorialspoint.com/cryptography/c…
Encryption, cryptography, cryptocurrency When it comes down to it... hash functions are the foundation of crypto!
tutorialspoint.com/cryptography/c…
Like what you read? Help me spread the word by retweeting the thread (linked below).
Follow me for more explainers and as much alpha as I can possibly serve.
Follow me for more explainers and as much alpha as I can possibly serve.
https://twitter.com/SalomonCrypto/status/1567541750151151616
• • •
Missing some Tweet in this thread? You can try to
force a refresh
