Beginner’s guide to encoding, encryption and hashing
Published in
2 min readNov 2, 2021
In this article, let’s explore the above three topics, their uses, examples and how they are different from each other.
Encoding:
- Encoding is a process of converting the data or a given sequence of characters, symbols, alphabets etc. from one format into another format using a scheme that is publicly available.
- It ensures data usability by transforming the data.
- Example:
ASCII, UNICODE, URL encoding, Base64
Decoding is just the opposite of encoding, the content or data that is encoded can be decoded using the same algorithm, therefore it is a reversible process. No key is required to encode and decode the data.
Encryption:
- Encryption also transforms data from one format into another however unlike encoding there is a key required to decrypt the data that is encrypted.
- Its purpose is to maintain data confidentiality by keeping it unreadable from others.
There are two types of encryption:
1. Symmetric encryption:
- In symmetric encryption only one key is required to encrypt and decrypt the data.
- Example:
AES(advanced encryption standard uses only 128 bit or 256 bit keys)
2. Asymmetric encryption:
- Asymmetric encryption uses a pair of key to encrypt and decrypt the data and these keys are called public and private key.
- The data encrypted with private key can be decrypted with public key and vice-versa.
- Example:
RSA(uses 2048 to 4096 bit keys)
Symmetric encryption is faster than asymmetric encryption because keys used are much smaller.
Hashing:
- Hashing transforms arbitrary length of data into fixed length of string using a hashing algorithm.
- It ensures data integrity.
- Hashing is irreversible process, same input will produce same output and no two inputs will produce same output.
- It is used to generate memory-addresses corresponding to keys in Dictionaries, Maps, Objects, Key-value pairs.
- As hashing is a one way function it is also used to store passwords and other critical info.
- Example:
SHA-256
