Checksum Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations
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checksum
[ˈtʃɛksˌʌm ]
Definition
data integrity
A checksum is a value used to verify the integrity of data. It is calculated from a set of data, allowing for error detection in data transmission or storage. If the checksum does not match the expected value, it indicates that the data may have been compromised or corrupted.
Synonyms
Examples of usage
- The software calculated a checksum to ensure the file was not altered.
- During the download, a checksum is often used to verify file integrity.
- We used a checksum to check for errors in the transmitted data.
Translations
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Interesting Facts
Technology
- Checksums are widely used in data transmission, file storage, and software downloads to ensure data integrity.
- Different types of checksums, like CRC (Cyclic Redundancy Check) or MD5, serve various purposes in error detection and verification.
Pop Culture
- In the world of video games, checksums help developers ensure that game data remains intact during updates.
- Certain genres of music and films use checksum-like concepts, emphasizing authentication and originality.
Science
- In biology, the idea of a checksum can be related to how organisms check for DNA mutations, ensuring genetic reliability.
- Checksums in scientific computing assist researchers in verifying data from experiments and simulations.
Psychology
- The human brain employs a kind of checksum when recalling memories, checking against what is known to ensure accuracy.
- Errors in memory recall can be seen as a system failing to perform its own 'checksum' effectively.
Origin of 'checksum'
Main points about word origin
- The word combines 'check', meaning to verify, and 'sum', referring to the total when numbers are added together.
- First used in the computing world in the 1960s to improve data reliability during transmissions.
The term 'checksum' is derived from the combination of 'check' and 'sum', referring to a value that is checked for accuracy in data. The concept of checksums has been prevalent in computing since the early days of data transmission and storage, where ensuring data accuracy was critical. Initially, checksums were simple sums of data bytes, but as technology evolved, more sophisticated algorithms were developed to enhance error detection capabilities. The use of checksums has expanded beyond basic error detection to applications in cryptography, data integrity verification, and network communications. These tools have become essential in modern computing, ensuring that data remains intact across various systems and platforms.