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A hash is a mathematical function that converts an input of arbitrary length into an encrypted output of
a fixed length. Thus regardless of the original amount of data or file size involved, its unique hash will
always be the same size.

What Is a Hash? Hash Functions and Cryptocurrency Mininghttps://www.investopedia.com › ... ›

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Hash function - Wikipediahttps://en.wikipedia.org › wiki › Hash_function

A hash function is any function that can be used to map data of arbitrary size to fixed-size values. The
values returned by a hash function are called hash ...

Overview · Hash tables · Properties · Hashing integer data types

Hash (food) - Wikipediahttps://en.wikipedia.org › wiki › Hash_(food)

Hash is a culinary dish consisting of chopped meat, potatoes, and fried onions. The name is derived from
French: hacher, meaning "to chop".

Hash Definition & Meaning - Merriam-Websterhttps://www.merriam-webster.com › dictionary › hash

hash · 1 of 3. verb · ˈhash. hashed; hashing; hashes. transitive verb. 1. a. : to chop (food, such as meat
and potatoes) into small pieces. b. : confuse, muddle.

What is hashing and how does it work? - TechTargethttps://www.techtarget.com › definition › hashing

Hashing is the process of transforming any given key or a string of characters into another value. This is
usually represented by a shorter, fixed-length ...

hash - Wiktionaryhttps://en.wiktionary.org › wiki › hash

(transitive) To chop into small pieces, to make into a hash. quotations ▽ · To make a quick, rough
version. (Can we add an example for this sense?) · (computing, ...

What Is Hashish | What parents need to know | drugfree.orghttps://drugfree.org › Drugs

Hashish or hash is made from the resin (a secreted gum) of the cannabis plant. It is dried and pressed
into small blocks and smoked. It can also be added to ...

HASH | definition in the Cambridge English Dictionaryhttps://dictionary.cambridge.org › dictionary ›

hash

4 days ago — hash meaning: 1. a mixture of meat, potatoes, and vegetables cut into small pieces and
baked or fried: 2…. Learn more.

Hash Definition & Meaning - Dictionary.comhttps://www.dictionary.com › browse › hash

hash over, to bring up again for consideration; discuss, especially in review: At the class reunion they
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Hashish: Effects, Hazards & Methods of Abuse - Drugs.comhttps://www.drugs.com › ... › Hashish (Hash)

Hashish, often called hash, is a potent form of cannabis (marijuana) produced by collecting and
compressing trichomes, the most potent material from cannabis ...
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CRYPTOCURRENCY BLOCKCHAIN

What Is a Hash? Hash Functions and Cryptocurrency Mining

By JAKE FRANKENFIELD Updated January 13, 2022

Reviewed by AMILCAR CHAVARRIA

Fact checked by SKYLAR CLARINE

What Is a Hash?

A hash is a mathematical function that converts an input of arbitrary length into an encrypted output of
a fixed length. Thus regardless of the original amount of data or file size involved, its unique hash will
always be the same size. Moreover, hashes cannot be used to "reverse-engineer" the input from the
hashed output, since hash functions are "one-way" (like a meat grinder; you can't put the ground beef
back into a steak). Still, if you use such a function on the same data, its hash will be identical, so you can
validate that the data is the same (i.e., unaltered) if you already know its hash.

Hashing is also essential to blockchain management in cryptocurrency.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

A hash is a function that meets the encrypted demands needed to solve for a blockchain computation.

Hashes are of a fixed length since it makes it nearly impossible to guess the length of the hash if
someone was trying to crack the blockchain.

The same data will always produce the same hashed value.

A hash, like a nonce or a solution, is the backbone of the blockchain network.

A hash is developed based on the information present in the block header.

How Hashes Work

Typical hash functions take inputs of variable lengths to return outputs of a fixed length. A cryptographic
hash function combines the message-passing capabilities of hash functions with security properties.

Hash functions are commonly used data structures in computing systems for tasks, such as checking the
integrity of messages and authenticating information. While they are considered cryptographically
"weak" because they can be solved in polynomial time, they are not easily decipherable.
Cryptographic hash functions add security features to typical hash functions, making it more difficult to
detect the contents of a message or information about recipients and senders.

In particular, cryptographic hash functions exhibit these three properties:

They are “collision-free.” This means that no two input hashes should map to the same output hash.

They can be hidden. It should be difficult to guess the input value for a hash function from its output.

They should be puzzle-friendly. It should be difficult to select an input that provides a predefined output.
Thus, the input should be selected from a distribution that's as wide as possible.

Because of the features of a hash, they are used extensively in online security—from protecting
passwords to detecting data breaches to checking the integrity of a downloaded file.

Hashing and Cryptocurrencies

The backbone of a cryptocurrency is the blockchain, which is a global ledger formed by linking together
individual blocks of transaction data. The blockchain only contains validated transactions, which
prevents fraudulent transactions and double spending of the currency. The resulting encrypted value is a
series of numbers and letters that do not resemble the original data and is called a hash. Cryptocurrency
mining involves working with this hash.

Hashing requires processing the data from a block through a mathematical function, which results in an
output of a fixed length. Using a fixed-length output increases security since anyone trying to decrypt
the hash won’t be able to tell how long or short the input is simply by looking at the length of the
output.

Solving the hash starts with the data available in the block header and is essentially solving a complex
mathematical problem. Each block header contains a version number, a timestamp, the hash used in the
previous block, the hash of the Merkle root, the nonce, and the target hash.

The miner focuses on the nonce, a string of numbers. This number is appended to the hashed contents
of the previous block, which is then hashed. If this new hash is less than or equal to the target hash, then
it is accepted as the solution, the miner is given the reward, and the block is added to the blockchain.

The validation process for blockchain transactions relies on data being encrypted using algorithmic
hashing.

Special Considerations
Solving the hash requires the miner to determine which string to use as the nonce, which itself requires
a significant amount of trial-and-error. This is because the nonce is a random string. It is highly unlikely
that a miner will successfully come up with the correct nonce on the first try, meaning that the miner
may potentially test a large number of nonce options before getting it right. The greater the difficulty—a
measure of how hard it is to create a hash that meets the requirement of the target hash—the longer it
is likely to take to generate a solution.

An Example of a Hash

Hashing the word “hello” will produce an output that is the same length as the hash for “I am going to
the store.” The function used to generate the hash is deterministic, meaning that it will produce the
same result each time the same input is used. It can generate a hashed input efficiently; it also makes
determining the input difficult (leading to mining), as well as makes small changes to the input result in
an unrecognizable, entirely different hash.

Processing the hash functions needed to encrypt new blocks requires substantial computer processing
power, which can be costly. To entice individuals and companies, referred to as miners, to invest in the
required technology, cryptocurrency networks reward them with both new cryptocurrency tokens and a
transaction fee. Miners are compensated only if they are the first to create a hash that meets the
requirements outlined in the target hash.

What Is a Hash Function?

Hash functions are mathematical functions that transform or "map" a given set of data into a bit string
of fixed size, also known as the "hash value."

How Is a Hash Value Calculated?

A hash function utilizes complex mathematical algorithms that convert data of arbitrary length to data
of fixed length (for instance, 256 characters). If you change one bit anywhere in the original data, the
entire hash value changes, making it useful for verifying the fidelity of digital files and other data.

What Are Hashes Used for in Blockchains?

Hashes are used in several parts of a blockchain system. First, each block contains the hash of the block
header of the previous block, ensuring that nothing has been tampered with as new blocks are added.
Cryptocurrency mining using proof-of-work (PoW), furthermore, utilizes hashing of randomly generated
numbers in order to arrive at a specific hashed value containing a series of leading zeroes. This arbitrary
function is resource-intensive, making it difficult for a bad actor to overtake the network.
Related Terms

Nonce: What It Means and How It's Used in Blockchain

In blockchain technology, nonce means a number added to a hashed, or encrypted block, that, when
rehashed, meets the difficulty level restrictions. Blockchain miners aim to solve the nonce. more

Application-Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC) Miner

An application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC) miner is a computerized device designed for the sole
purpose of mining a cryptocurrency. more

Target Hash

A target hash sets the difficulty for cryptocurrency mining using a proof-of-work (PoW) blockchain
system. more

Hash Rate

Hash rate is the measure of the computational power in a proof-of-work (PoW) cryptocurrency network.
more

What Is a Block in the Crypto Blockchain, and How Does It Work?

Blocks are data structures within a database where cryptocurrency transaction data are permanently
recorded; once written, it cannot be altered or removed. more

Cryptographic Hash Functions: Definition and Examples

Cryptographic hash functions combine message-passing capabilities with security properties. more

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Investopedia is part of the Dotdash Meredith publishing family.s any function that can be used to map
data of arbitrary size to fixed-size values. The values returned by a hash function are called hash values,
hash codes, digests, or simply hashes. The values are usually used to index a fixed-size table called a
hash table. Wikipedia

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