Can SHA256 Be "Decrypted"? A Deep Dive into Hash Function Determinism and One-Way Properties

A common question among developers: does SHA256 always produce the same hash for the same input, and can the original data be recovered from its hash? This article dives deep into the two core properties of hash functions: determinism and their one-way nature. We'll explain why hashing is irreversible and reveal why you should avoid using a simple `hash()` function for sensitive data like passwords, recommending salted solutions like `password_hash()` to defend against rainbow table attacks. Understanding these principles is crucial for building secure applications on platforms like wiki.lib00.com.