A collision in a hash function occurs when two different inputs produce the same output value. This can happen because hash functions are designed to map a potentially infinite input space to a finite output space, so multiple inputs might map to the same output. Collisions can have a variety of effects, depending on the application. In some cases, collisions can be a sign of a weaker hash function, leading to potential security vulnerabilities. In other cases, collisions may be inconsequential and can be managed effectively.
