Cryptographic hash function

Hash function is a mathematical algorithm that takes an input (data) of any size and produces a fixed-length string of characters, typically in a hexadecimal format. The output, known as a hash value or hash code, is a unique representation of the input data. Hash functions have specific properties, including determinism (the same input always generates the same hash), quick computation, and the 'avalanche effect,' where even a small change in the input leads to a significantly different hash output. Hash functions are widely used in cryptography, data integrity verification, digital signatures, and indexing, providing a way to securely represent data and verify its integrity.