Cryptographic hash function
In digital communications and computer science, a hash function is a function that converts input of any length into output of a fixed length, usually much shorter. It is undesirable for a hash function to produce identical output for different inputs, but this is sometimes unavoidable. Hash functions are therefore measured by the probability of producing identical output.
On this page
Source content checked . English translation published 2026-10-27.
In business automation
A hash function converts content into a fixed-length value intended to identify changes. In automation, it is used to check file integrity, detect duplicates, and create a stable identifier without storing the full content.
Examples
These examples illustrate a possible workflow. Adapt the connections and rules to your own systems.
Preventing the same contract from being uploaded twice
A client uploads a contract. The process calculates the file's hash and compares it with previous hashes in the folder. If the value is identical, no new case is opened; the existing upload details are updated instead.
Relevant tools
- Supabase
- You can store a unique identifier for a record; a file hash still needs to be calculated in your application layer.
What to check
- Hashing passwords without a salt or using an outdated algorithm does not provide adequate authentication protection.