hashlib.sha256() vs hashlib.sha512()
hashlib.sha256() and hashlib.sha512() are both Python Hashlib Module APIs, and choosing between them is a common point of confusion. This page compares their syntax, parameters, return values, and typical use cases so you can pick the right one. hashlib.sha256(): Creates a SHA-256 hash object — widely used for secure hashing. Its syntax is hashlib.sha256(data=b""), and it returns hash object hashlib.sha512(): Creates a SHA-512 hash object with larger digest size (512 bits). Its syntax is hashlib.sha512(data=b""), and it returns hash object Example of hashlib.sha256(): h = hashlib.sha256(b"hello")
h.hexdigest() # "2cf24dba5fb0a30e26e83b2ac5b9e29e1b161e5c1fa7425e73043362938b9824". Example of hashlib.sha512(): h = hashlib.sha512(b"hello")
len(h.hexdigest()) # 128 hex chars (512 bits). Read the full references for hashlib.sha256() and hashlib.sha512() to see parameters, edge cases, and example code side by side. Other Hashlib Module APIs worth comparing: hashlib.md5(), hashlib.sha1(), hashlib.sha3_256(), hashlib.blake2b(), hashlib.pbkdf2_hmac(), hash.update(). Both belong to the Hashlib Module category in the Python Reference documentation.