Checks

Checks, or cheques, are negotiable instruments that instruct a bank to pay a specified amount from the drawer’s account to a payee. The instrument typically includes the date, amount, payer and payee names, the issuing bank, and an account number. In banking, checks are processed through endorsement, presentment, and clearing, with funds becoming available to the payee after settlement. Common types include personal checks, cashier’s checks (drawn on the bank’s own funds), and certified checks (bank guarantees the drawer’s funds). Security features aim to prevent fraud, such as embedded microprinting, watermarks, and unique routing numbers. Over time, electronic payments have supplanted many check transactions, but checks remain in use in some regions and among certain customer groups.

In computing and data handling, checks refer to methods for verifying accuracy and integrity. This includes checksums, parity bits, and cyclic redundancy checks (CRCs) used to detect data corruption in transmission or storage. Input validation checks ensure data conforms to expected formats or ranges before processing. Consistency checks compare related data sets to detect discrepancies, while cross-checks verify results against independent sources. In software, assertion checks and error-checking routines help identify invalid states during execution. In auditing and compliance, verification checks and reconciliations compare records from different systems to ensure accuracy and accountability.

Overall, checks function as tools for authorization and payment in finance, and as mechanisms for detection and validation in information systems and governance.