compute hash value for a string

Question

Hello everyone I am new to how to use C# to calculate hash value for a string. I want to check we normally use MD5CryptoServiceProvider.ComputeHash? As described here? http://support.microsoft.com/kb/307020/en-us thanks in advance George

George George · Answer

Cool Alan ! regards George

Alan · Answer

I thought I should just add that the choice of methods depends on the level of security you need i.e. the lower the chance of producing a collision the more secure the hash is. String.GetHashCode() only produces a hash which is 32 bits long and so is not very secure. In practice most people use the MD5 method (the one you mentioned) which produces a 128 bit hash or SHA1 which produces a 160 bit hash though both have been compromised in recent years. For bullet-proof security .NET also supports the SHA256 SHA384 and SHA512 algorithms.

George George · Answer

Thanks Bechir Bejaoui  Question answered. regards George

Bechir Bejaoui · Answer

string oString = Google; int hash = oString.GetHashCode(); MessageBox.Show(OString hash code is :  + hash.ToString());