In this blog, we will read about what is hashing algorithms and what is used in blockchain development.
To understand the hashing algorithm, we should know how a block looks in a blockchain. Each block has the following fields:
- Block Number
- Block Data
- Previous Hash
- Hash
There are lots of blocks in a blockchain and the block is connected with the previous block. So they can identify each other.
The blocks identify each other with the hash id. And each block has its unique hash id.
The hash generates with the help of the SHA 256 algorithm.
What is SHA 256 Hashing Algorithm?
There are many hashing algorithms used in different types of blockchain. But SHA 256 is the most popular hashing algorithm among them.
It has 64 hexadecimal characters and each character have is of 4 bits. So in total, it has 64×4=256 bits. That’s why it is called SHA 256 algorithm.
This is the most popular and famous algorithm
How To Generate Hash Using 256 Algorithm?
When we insert any form of data like documents, audio, video, etc in the SHA256 hashing algorithm it converts it into 64 digits numeric form.
Using the data we can identify the block.
A first blog called the genesis block.
See the below example to understand the process:
What are the Requirements of the Hash Algorithm?
One Way – You can convert normal data into hashing data but can’t convert hashing data into normal data.
Deterministic – Every converted normal data will have the same hash value each time.
Fast computation – It should not be more time-consuming, otherwise all the time will be spent on data encryption.
Withstand Collisions – Hackers shouldn’t hack the block.
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