What is a primary function of hashing?

A primary function of hashing is to create fixed-size outputs that serve as a unique representation of the input data, which plays a crucial role in verifying data integrity. When data is processed through a hashing algorithm, it generates a hash value (often referred to as a hash code or hash digest). This hash value is a fixed length, regardless of the size of the input data, allowing it to serve as a concise, consistent identifier for that data.

Hashing functions are designed to produce unique hash values; even a small change in the input data will result in a significantly different hash output. This property is essential for maintaining data integrity, as it allows users to easily detect any alterations or corruption in the data by comparing hash values before and after transmission or storage. If the hash value of the original data matches the hash value of the received or stored data, it indicates that the data remains unaltered.

While the other options may relate to aspects of data security and management, they do not accurately capture the primary purpose of hashing in terms of data integrity verification. For instance, storing data in an encrypted format relates to confidentiality rather than the uniqueness of the algorithm's output.