Hash

Converts a variable-length string to a 32-byte, hexadecimal string, using the MD5 algorithm. (It is not possible to convert the hash result back to the source string.)

32-byte, hexadecimal string

Conversion functions, Other functions, String functions

Hash(string)

Parameter Description

string

A string or a variable that contains one.

The result is useful for comparison and validation. For example, a developer can store the hash of a password in a database without exposing the password. The developer can check the validity of the password with the following code:

<cfif hash(form.password) is not myQuery.passwordHash>
  <cflocation url = "unauthenticated.cfm">
</cfif>

<!--- How to use Hash for password validation. This assumes that UserID 
value is passed to this page with a URL parameter. ---> <h3>Hash Example</h3> <cfquery name = "CheckPerson" datasource = "UserData"> SELECT PasswordHash FROM SecureData WHERE UserID = <cfqueryparam value = "#UserID#" cfsqltype = "CF_SQL_CHARVAR"> </cfquery> <cfif Hash(form.password) is not checkperson.passwordHash> <cflocation url = "unauthenticated.cfm"> <cfelse> ... </cfif>

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