SHA-256 Hash Explained
Learn what SHA-256 hashing is, how it works, and when to use cryptographic hash functions.
SHA-256 is a cryptographic hash function that produces a fixed 256-bit (64 hex character) output from any input. The same input always produces the same hash, but even a tiny change in input produces a completely different hash.
Common uses
- Verifying file integrity (checksums)
- Password storage (with salt and key stretching)
- Blockchain and cryptocurrency
- Digital signatures and certificates
- Detecting duplicate content
Hash vs encryption
Hashing is one-way — you cannot reverse a hash to get the original input. Encryption is two-way — you can decrypt with the right key. Use hashing when you need to verify data without storing the original.
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