A hash algorithm is a one way transforamation of data to a fixed length
digest. For example, SHA1 produces a 128(*) bit digest no matter how long
the input data is. It will create a 128 bit hash from a 10 megabyte input.
The usefulness is that the likely hood that a small change in the source
will produce the same hash is extremely small. This is used to verify that
the contents of a message has not been altered. When used with PKI, it can
be used to create a digital signiture but that is a topic for another time
and place.
Encryption is a reversable transformation of data that is usually, but not
necessarily, longer then the original message. That means that something
that is encrypted can be decrypted in order to get the original message
back. This is used to keep others from looking at your data.
* I don't remember exactly the size of a SHA1 digest, something in my
memory is screaming 168 bit as well and I am too lazy to look it up. The
key thing is that the result is always the same size.
Nitin Pahwa <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>@JAVA.SUN.COM> on 07/20/2001
12:31:18 AM
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Subject: Re: Encryption Algorithm !
Hi Scott,
Can you please explain the differnce between the two?
Nitin.
-----Original Message-----
From: A mailing list for discussion about Sun Microsystem's Java Servlet
API Technology. [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]]On Behalf Of Scott
Herter
Sent: Thursday, July 19, 2001 5:37 PM
To: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Subject: Re: Encryption Algorithm !
SHA is a hash algorithm (Secure Hash Algorithm), not an encryption
algorithm.
We use SSLava for our encrption stuff. http://www.phaos.com/
Nitin Pahwa <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>@JAVA.SUN.COM> on 07/19/2001
03:46:49 AM
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Subject: Re: Encryption Algorithm !
Hi Abhishek,
SHA is one such algo. See how you can use it at
http://developer.java.sun.com/developer/qow/archive/28/index.html
Regards,
Nitin.
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