Technology and data formats
Hash value
In short and in plain language
A hash value is a short value that a program works out from data.
The same data gives the same value. If one sign changes, the value changes too.
This way a system can spot changes. It can also compare values without storing them openly.
Definition
A hash value is a short check value that a calculation method produces from any data. The same data gives the same hash value, even small changes give a different one. Systems use hash values, for example, to detect changes or to compare values without storing them in plain text.