sha2256

sha2256 is not a recognized cryptographic hash function in major standards or widely used cryptographic libraries. The term does not appear in official specifications from bodies such as NIST, nor in widely adopted families like SHA-2 or SHA-3. In practice, sha2256 is most likely a misspelling or a misnomer for another function, most commonly SHA-256, or a vendor-specific name used in limited contexts.

If you encounter the term, it is important to verify its provenance. It may be a typographical error, a private or experimental algorithm, or a branding choice by a particular vendor. Without a published specification, test vectors, security analyses, and reputable implementations, its properties and security characteristics cannot be meaningfully assessed. Relying on an undefined or poorly specified function can introduce significant risk to cryptographic protocols and data integrity.

For reliable cryptographic practice, standards-compliant hash functions such as SHA-256 or SHA-3-256 should be used when a fixed-size 256-bit digest is required. SHA-256 is widely deployed in digital signatures, certificates, and blockchain technologies, while SHA-3-256 offers an alternative design with different security assumptions. If a project requires sha2256, it is advisable to obtain formal documentation, including the algorithm’s specification, test vectors, and independent audits, or to replace it with a standard hash function.

In summary, sha2256 does not have a widely accepted, standardized definition, and developers should favor established hash functions unless and until a credible, open specification is provided.