This page explains the basics of two important concepts used throughout cronStamp, document hashing and blockchain.
Document hashing is a fundamental concept in the realm of digital security and data integrity. At its core, hashing is the process of converting a document or any piece of data into a fixed-size string of characters, which is typically a sequence of numbers and letters. This string is known as a "hash value" or "digest". The hashing process uses a mathematical algorithm to ensure that even the slightest change in the original document will produce a significantly different hash value. This makes hashing an effective tool for verifying the integrity of data. When a document is hashed, the resulting hash value is unique to that specific document, much like a digital fingerprint. If the document is altered in any way, the hash value will change, signaling that the document has been tampered with.
Blockchain technology is a revolutionary system for recording and verifying transactions in a secure, transparent, and decentralized manner. At its essence, a blockchain is a distributed ledger that consists of a chain of blocks, where each block contains a list of transactions. Each block is linked to the previous one through a unique identifier known as a cryptographic hash, forming a continuous chain. This structure ensures that once a block is added to the blockchain, it cannot be altered without changing all subsequent blocks, making the system highly secure against tampering and fraud. Blockchain technology is decentralized, meaning it operates on a network of computers (nodes) that collectively maintain and validate the ledger. This decentralization eliminates the need for a central authority, enhancing transparency and trust. Blockchain's robust security and transparency make it an ideal solution for applications requiring verifiable and immutable records, such as document timestamping in cronStamp.