Create SHA-512 hash of a dict in python

As a Python developer, I’m always on the lookout for ways to secure and protect data within my applications. One powerful technique that I often rely on is creating a SHA512 hash of a dictionary. This process not only ensures the integrity of the data but also allows for easy comparison and verification. In this blog post, I’m excited to share with you the step-by-step process of creating a SHA512 hash of a dictionary in Python. By the end, you’ll have a valuable tool in your arsenal for data security and validation.

Creating a SHA512 hash of a dict in python

As we’ve seen in earlier posts, you can create an SHA512 hash of a string and generate a hash in string type.

A python dict is a data structure that stores key-value pairs. The keys are used to access the values.

Example –

person = {'name' : 'Vamana', 'age': 20}

But, what if you had to create an sha512 hash of the person dictionary above? We can do it by first converting the dict to string format. Note that, a dictionary doesn’t maintain the order of keys (key:values), so the value can change randomly when you try to use it as a complete dictionary. For this reason, we will sort the keys and then convert it to a string, to make sure that the order of keys is consistent always. We do this by passing sort_keys=True as the second parameter to json.dumps.

Here is an example with complete code of the above mentioned implementation.

import hashlib
import json

person = {'name' : 'Vamana', 'age': 20}
hash = hashlib.sha512(json.dumps(person, sort_keys=True).encode('utf-8')).hexdigest()
print(hash)

The output of the above code will return a SHA512 hash of the stringified version of the dict-

d7c8075015c4838677c97580f9887d1f44bb192bd660cc0830d672612d102fb79088d7a6ec0b05caafc7d060ec925f9be4d9598a55b263d549ad5748fd634e86

In conclusion, we’ve explored the world of creating SHA512 hashes of dictionaries in Python. This technique provides a robust method for securing and validating data within your applications. Whether you’re working with sensitive information or need to verify the integrity of data, the SHA512 hash of a dictionary proves to be a powerful solution. Remember to apply this knowledge thoughtfully and responsibly, ensuring that your data remains protected. With this new skill in your Python toolbox, you’re well-equipped to take on the challenges of data security. Happy coding and hashing!