Algorithm to convert a large number (output of a hashing algorithm) into something easily compared visually by humans?

Question

I'm looking for a way to help my users more easily compare the output of a fingerprinting algorithm (which is a very large number/byte array).

So instead of showing something like "8c0db1f40b6e4c1e268a5f3e2405278f" as the fingerprint, I'd rather show something like 'AT-BAD-HONEY-CAR-MOUSE' (obviously the underlying number of represented bits still needs to be the same as I cannot allow ambiguity, it's a fingerprint after all).

I'm not restricted to a textual representation, a (very small) image would also be fine (note: just using the bits as pixels in a b&w image does not count as "easily visually comparable" in my book). The only constraint on the algorithm would be that the final output does not need crazy amounts of screen real-estate.

score 1 · Accepted Answer · answered Jan 10 '22 at 08:46

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For textual representations, check out the PGP word list, Diceware (as improved by EFF), S/KEY's word list, and BIP39.

For visual representations, check out randomart; see also here.

answered Jan 10 '22 at 08:46

D.W.

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score 0 · Answer 2 · answered Jan 10 '22 at 08:46

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This is a problem that identicons intend to solve. You may not have noticed, but SE uses identicons for their avatars. You may not have noticed, which says enough.

answered Jan 10 '22 at 08:46

Discrete lizard

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Since I want to compare fingerprints, distinct fingerprints also need to generate distinct icons/images. This is not the case for at least the SE identicons as they only represent a tiny number of bits. – Tobias Gierke Jan 10 '22 at 09:45
You can always append an UUID. – Discrete lizard Jan 16 '22 at 13:52

Algorithm to convert a large number (output of a hashing algorithm) into something easily compared visually by humans?

2 Answers2