JonathanCross: Creating initial version of SHA-256 so that this can be linked to from within the wiki.

2016-01-29T15:44:56Z

Creating initial version of SHA-256 so that this can be linked to from within the wiki.

New page

SHA-256 is a member of the SHA-2 cryptographic hash functions designed by the NSA. SHA stands for Secure Hash Algorithm. Cryptographic hash functions are mathematical operations run on digital data; by comparing the computed "hash" (the output from execution of the algorithm) to a known and expected hash value, a person can determine the data's integrity. A one-way hash can be generated from any piece of data, but the data cannot be generated from the hash.

SHA-256 is used in several different parts of the Bitcoin network:
# [[Mining]] uses SHA-256 as the [[Proof of work]] algorithm.
# SHA-256 is used in the [[Technical_background_of_version_1_Bitcoin_addresses#How_to_create_Bitcoin_Address|creation of bitcoin addresses]] to improve security and privacy.

== See also ==
* https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SHA-2

SHA-256 - Revision history

JonathanCross: Creating initial version of SHA-256 so that this can be linked to from within the wiki.