How do I verify a hash in Python?

How do I verify a hash in Python?

You can verify a hash in Python using the hashlib library. Do you have a specific hash algorithm in mind?

Yes, I want to use SHA-256.

Great! You can use the following code:

import hashlib

# The original data
data = b'Hello, World!'

# Calculate the hash
hash_object = hashlib.sha256(data)
hex_dig = hash_object.hexdigest()

# Verify the hash
expected_hash = 'a591a6d40bf420404a011733cfb7b190d62c65bf0bcda190f4b242c3d79a3c8'  # Example hash
is_valid = hex_dig == expected_hash
print('Is the hash valid?', is_valid)

What if the data changes? How does that affect the hash?

If the data changes, even slightly, the hash will change completely. This is a key property of hash functions, ensuring data integrity.