What is the outcome of successfully hashing a file?

Successfully hashing a file produces a fixed-size string of characters, which is the hash value or digest. This hash value serves as a unique representation of the data contained within the file. One of the primary uses of hashing is to confirm the integrity of the file. When a file is hashed, the resulting hash can be stored and later used for comparison. If the contents of the file change in any way, even if just a single bit, the hash value will drastically differ, indicating that the integrity has been compromised.

This mechanism is commonly employed in verifying downloads, ensuring data transfer accuracy, and detecting unauthorized changes to files. Because the hash serves as a fingerprint for the data, it effectively allows users or systems to ascertain whether a file remains unchanged over time. Therefore, confirming the integrity of the file is the direct outcome of successfully hashing it.

In contrast, while hashing provides a unique representation of file data, it does not create a unique file name, encrypt the file, or back it up to a server. Instead, its primary utility lies in verifying that the file remains intact and untampered.