Hash functions got the name "hash" because it's easy to compute the function with a given input, but nearly impossible to reverse engineer the hash function to get the original input. (2 points)%0D%0AResponses%0D%0A%0D%0ATrue%0D%0ATrue%0D%0A%0D%0AFalse
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True. Hash functions are designed to efficiently compute the output, or hash, for a given input. However, it is extremely difficult to reverse engineer the hash function to retrieve the original input from the hash value. This property is known as preimage resistance, which makes hash functions useful for securely storing passwords, verifying data integrity, and other cryptographic applications.
To understand why hash functions are named as such, it is important to first understand what a hash function is. A hash function is a mathematical function that takes an input (or "message") and produces a fixed-size string of characters, which is typically a unique representation of the input. The resulting string is often referred to as the "hash value" or simply "hash."
Now, let's address the statement that "hash functions got their name because it's easy to compute the function with a given input, but nearly impossible to reverse engineer the hash function to get the original input." This statement accurately describes one of the key properties of hash functions.
1. Easy to compute with a given input: Hash functions are designed to be computationally efficient. It should be relatively quick and easy to apply the hash function to any given input and calculate the hash value.
2. Nearly impossible to reverse engineer: Hash functions are designed in such a way that it is extremely difficult to determine the original input (or message) based solely on the hash value. This property is known as "pre-image resistance" or "one-wayness." Given a hash value, it should be computationally infeasible to find a different input that produces the same hash value.
So, why are hash functions named "hash"? The term "hash" originated from the concept of "hashing" in computer science, which refers to the process of taking an input and mapping it to a fixed-size output. In the case of hash functions, the input is hashed to produce the hash value. This process is analogous to chopping up something into small pieces or fragments, which is similar to how a hashing algorithm transforms an input into a fixed-size output.
In summary, hash functions are named "hash" because they involve the process of hashing, which transforms an input into a fixed-size output. Additionally, the properties of hash functions, such as being easy to compute with a given input and difficult to reverse engineer, further contribute to the term "hash" being associated with these functions.