MD5 Generator: Understanding the Hash Function

What is MD5?

MD5 (Message Digest algorithm 5) is a widely used cryptographic hash function that produces a 128-bit (16-byte) hash value. It's commonly used to verify data integrity, but due to its vulnerabilities, it's not recommended for security-critical applications.

How MD5 Works

The MD5 algorithm processes input data in 512-bit blocks, producing a 128-bit hash value. Here's a simplified overview of the process:

1. Pad the input message to a length that is a multiple of 512 bits.
2. Initialize a 128-bit state buffer with predefined values.
3. Process the input in 512-bit blocks:
   • Divide the block into 16 32-bit words.
   • Perform 64 operations in 4 rounds of 16 operations each.
   • Update the state buffer after each operation.
4. Output the final state buffer as the 128-bit MD5 hash.