Hello!
Today, we’re going to discuss the differences between SHA-256 and ECDSA, two algorithms used in blockchain technology. Both of these algorithms are used to secure data and transactions on the blockchain, but they have different functions and purposes.
SHA-256 is a cryptographic hash function used to secure data on the blockchain. It takes an input of any size and produces an output of a fixed length. This output is known as a “hash” and is used to verify the integrity of the data. The hash is unique and cannot be reversed, meaning that it is impossible to determine the original data from the hash.
ECDSA, or Elliptic Curve Digital Signature Algorithm, is an algorithm used to create digital signatures. Digital signatures are used to verify the authenticity of a transaction on the blockchain. They are created by combining the sender’s private key with the transaction data. The signature is then verified by the recipient using the sender’s public key.
In summary, SHA-256 is used to secure data on the blockchain, while ECDSA is used to create digital signatures to verify the authenticity of transactions. Both algorithms are essential for ensuring the security and integrity of the blockchain.
I hope this helps to explain the differences between SHA-256 and ECDSA. Thank you for your question!
Factor out the “blockchain” supposition and it becomes a little clearer.
here ya go (ps. your assumptions about blockchain are totally wrong)
https://duckduckgo.com/?q=ecdsa
https://duckduckgo.com/?q=sha-256
SHA-256 is a hash function.
ECDSA stands for Elliptical Curve Digital Signature Algorithm.
You can “play around” with SHA-256 here:
https://emn178.github.io/online-tools/sha256.html
Digital signatures allow Alice to send a message to Bob such that:
* Bob knows the message came from Alice, and not an attacker
* Bob knows that the message was not changed in any way after Alice sent it
Digital signatures are used by Bitcoin when Bob sends Bitcoin to Alice. He has to digitally sign the transaction so that everybody else knows that it was really Bob who created the transaction and that nobody changed Bob’s transaction (receive address, amount of Bitcoin, etc.) after Bob broadcast his transaction.
SHA-256 is an algorithm designed to take data in and create a “hash” of that data (ie a signature of data). In bitcoin, this is used to create block and txn hashes. It is part of a larger library of hashing algorithms known as SHA2. In computer programming, this can be used to store data in sets…since typically it creates a unique identifier for data.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SHA-2
ECDSA is a public/private key pair based on an X/Y coordinate system (plus some other data) to generate the keys. It is what facilitates the signing of txns and enables a verifiable signature that can be placed on data. This is used to create a BTC account: public key (address) and private keys to control that account.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elliptic_Curve_Digital_Signature_Algorithm