14.Cryptography: Cryptographic Hashing Demo

***************************************************** Source: EDX LinuxFoundationX LFS170x Blockchain: Understanding Its Uses and Implications ****************************************************** A) Hash Functions: Finally, hash functions feature heavily in blockchain. A hash function is a mathematical equation with four important properties: Hash functions can take anything as input and create an output with a fixed size. This makes it possible to condense anything into a piece of data of a fixed size and is how messages are condensed for digital signatures. It’s easy to calculate a hash, but hard to determine a hash input from the output. The best option is to keep trying inputs until one produces the desired output. Inputs that differ by a single bit produce hashes that differ by half of their bits on average. This prevents someone from finding a desired hash input using a “hill climbing”. It is infeasible to find two inputs that produce the same output when hashed. Since a hash can take any input and produce a fixed output, it makes sense that multiple different inputs will create the same output. A good hash function will make it so that you have to try a large number of inputs before finding two that produce the same output. B)Lab: Hashing Next, let's engage with an interactive lab. This lab is an actual hands-on demonstration of taking data and creating a hash output. Enjoy! Link: https://blockchaintrainingalliance.com/pages/lab-hash