Hashing, Encoding and Encryption are three distinct techniques that are commonly used to secure and manipulate data.
Here are the key differences between hashing, encoding, and encryption:
Hashing: Hashing is a one-way function that transforms input data into a fixed-length output, known as a hash value or digest. The output is unique to the input, meaning that the same input will always produce the same output, but it is not possible to reverse the process to retrieve the original input. Hashing is commonly used to store passwords securely, as it allows for password verification without actually storing the password itself. Focus: Integrity
Encoding: Encoding is a technique for representing data in a specific format that is suitable for transmission or storage. It is a reversible process, meaning that the original data can be retrieved by decoding the encoded data. However, encoding does not provide any security or confidentiality, as the encoded data can be easily decoded by anyone who knows the encoding format. Focus: Functionality
Encryption: Encryption is the process of transforming data into an unreadable format, known as ciphertext, using a key. Encryption provides confidentiality, as the ciphertext can only be decrypted back into its original format by someone who has the key. There are two types of encryption: symmetric encryption, where the same key is used for both encryption and decryption, and asymmetric encryption, where a different key is used for encryption and decryption. Focus: Confidentiality
In summary, hashing is a one-way function used for data integrity and password storage, encoding is a reversible technique used for data representation, and encryption is a reversible process used for data confidentiality.