The spelling of the word "re hashing" can be a bit confusing for some. The first syllable is pronounced /riː/, as in "reheat" or "rethink". The second syllable is pronounced /hæʃ/, as in the word "hash" that means to chop up into pieces. Together, the word "re hashing" means to reconsider or redo something that has already been discussed or completed. With its phonetic transcription ˈriː ˈhæʃɪŋ, this unique word can be used in various settings including business, academic or leisure.
Rehashing refers to the process of generating a new hash code or digest value from an already computed hash code. In computer science and cryptography, a hash function is a mathematical algorithm that transforms input data into a fixed-size string of characters. This hash code is used to uniquely identify the data or verify its integrity. However, in certain situations, the original hash code may need to be updated or changed.
Rehashing involves taking the original hash code and applying another round of computations to produce a new hash code. The new code is usually based on the original hash code but differs in some way, such as using a different algorithm or incorporating additional data. This can be done for various reasons, such as increasing the security of the hash function, accommodating changes in the underlying data, or improving performance.
One common use of rehashing is password storage. Instead of storing the actual passwords, systems typically store their hash codes. When a user attempts to log in, their entered password is hashed, and this hash code is compared to the stored hash code. By periodically rehashing the stored hash codes with stronger and more advanced algorithms, password security can be enhanced to protect against potential attacks.
Overall, rehashing is the process of generating a new hash code from an existing one, often for the purpose of ensuring data integrity, enhancing security, or adapting to changes in the underlying data.
The word "rehashing" is formed by combining the prefix "re-" and the noun "hashing".
The prefix "re-" comes from the Latin word "re-" which means "again" or "back". It indicates repetition, renewal, or returning to a previous state or action.
The noun "hashing" comes from the verb "hash". In computer science, "hash" refers to a process of converting data or information into a fixed-size numerical value (a hash value or hash code) through an algorithm. This process is commonly used in data structures and algorithms to quickly locate or retrieve information.
By adding the prefix "re-" to "hashing", the term "rehashing" is formed, which generally means to repeat or redo the process of hashing. In a broader sense, it can refer to revisiting or reconsidering something already discussed or analyzed, often with little or no change.