Answer:
a. data integrity
Explanation:
In Computer science, a hash function can be defined as any function which is used to map data by accepting a block of data with variable length size or arbitrary size as input to produce a fixed size hash values or codes.
Generally, when a block of data (input) of arbitrary size is hashed, the resulting hash values or codes is usually smaller than the input data. Thus, hash functions are considered to be a compression of data and as a result, sometimes called compression functions. Basically, the block size of a hash function typically ranges from 128 bits to 512 bits.
Some of the properties of a hash function are;
1. <em><u>Pre-image resistance</u></em>: this makes it practically impossible to reverse a fixed-size hash values to its initial arbitrary size. This property helps to maintain and enhance data integrity by making it difficult or impossible for an attacker to find the input data from a hash value.
2. <em><u>Second pre-image resistance</u></em>: this property makes it near impossible or very difficult to determine or decode another input data from a given set of input and hash values. Also, this helps to enhance data integrity.
3. <em><u>Collision resistance</u></em>: this is to make possible for all hash values to have a unique value. This simply means that, with this property it would be difficult for different input data to have the same hash value. Thus, it helps to create integrity in data management.
<em>Hence, with the aforementioned properties, the principal object of a hash function is data integrity.</em>
Hash functions in the computer world includes;
1. Message Digest (MD): it is a 128 bit hash function and comprises of the following; MD2, MD4, MD5, and MD6.
2. Secure Hash Function (SHA): it comprises of the following; SHA-0, SHA-1,SHA-2, and SHA-3.
3. Whirlpool: it comprises of the following; Whirlpool-0, Whirlpool-T, and Whirlpool. It is primarily a 512 bit hash function.
4. RACE Integrity Primitives Evaluation Message Digest (RIPEMD): it comprises of the following versions; RIPEMD, RIPEMD-128, and RIPEMD-160.
