Cryptographic Hash Function
Also known as: Hash Function, Blockchain Hash, One-Way Function
A one-way mathematical function that converts data into a fixed-length output, essential for blockchain integrity.
A cryptographic hash function is a core building block of blockchain and cybersecurity. It takes input data of any size and produces a fixed-size hash that uniquely represents that input. It is deterministic, collision-resistant, and irreversible. Hashes are used to link blocks in a chain, verify data integrity, and support digital signatures and Merkle trees. Examples include SHA-256 (Bitcoin) and Keccak-256 (Ethereum). Hash functions play a vital role in maintaining immutability, securing transactions, and ensuring efficient validation in decentralized systems.