Checksums

overview

Remember these Terms

• Checksum: Small number from data used to detect errors.
• Hash function: Algorithm that maps data to a fixed-size value.
• Digest: The fixed-size result produced by the hash function.
• Collision: Different inputs that accidentally produce the same value.
• CRC: Cyclic redundancy check, a fast checksum for networks and disks.
• Parity bit: Single-bit checksum for very simple error detection.
• Verification: Recompute the checksum to confirm data integrity.
• Integrity: Confidence that data was not changed in transit or storage.