What is another term commonly used for a hash in cryptography?

A hash in cryptography is commonly referred to as a message digest. This term emphasizes the role of a hash function in producing a fixed-size output (the message digest) from an input of arbitrary size. The primary purpose of a hash is to ensure data integrity by generating a unique identifier for a piece of data, allowing users to verify whether the original data has been altered.

Message digests are widely used in various applications, including data integrity checks and cryptographic functions. For example, when a sender sends a file, they can create a message digest of that file and share it alongside. The recipient can then generate their own hash of the received file and compare it to the one provided to ensure that the file has not been tampered with during transmission.

Checksum, while related to error-checking in data transmission, doesn't carry the same cryptographic significance as a message digest. It typically provides a simple way to detect errors but is not designed to resist intentional tampering. A digital signature involves a cryptographic operation that uses hashes but includes additional components such as asymmetric keys to verify authenticity and non-repudiation. A token is a broader term that can refer to various forms of authentication or access control and does not specifically denote a hash or message