A hash function is a mathematical algorithm that takes an input (or "message") and produces a fixed-size string of bytes, typically in the form of a hash value or hash code. The output is usually a numerical representation of the original data, and it is designed to uniquely correspond to the input data. Here are some key characteristics and properties of hash functions: 1. **Deterministic**: For a given input, a hash function will always produce the same output.
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Applications:
- hash map which is a O(1) amortized implementation of a map
- creating unbreakable chains of data, e.g. for Git commits or Bitcoin.
- storing passwords on a server in a way that if the password database is stolen, attackers can't reuse them on other websites where the user used the same password: security.blogoverflow.com/2013/09/about-secure-password-hashing/