Q: ______ is a type of function or operation that takes in an arbitrary data input and maps it to an output of a fixed size, called a hash or a digest.
or
Q: A function or action known as ______ converts an arbitrary data input to a result of a defined size, known as a hash or digest.
- Phishing
- A hash function
- Cryptography
- Secure key exchange
Explanation: It seems like you’re searching for the word “hash function.” A hash function is a mathematical function or operation that takes an input (or message) and outputs a string of characters with a set length. This string of characters is generally known as a hash or digest. Hash functions are used in cryptography. The key characteristic of a hash function is that it should be deterministic (the same input always produces the same hash) and produce a unique hash for different inputs. Hash functions are used rather often in a variety of applications, including the verification of data integrity, the creation of digital signatures, and the storing of passwords.
