The fixed output size of SHA-256 is a valuable property!

SHA-256 always generates a hash value of a fixed size, specifically 256 bits (32 bytes). This fixed output size offers several benefits:

1. Efficient storage: Fixed-size tokens require less storage space, making them ideal for large-scale tokenization.

2. Faster processing: Fixed-size tokens enable faster processing and comparison, as the size is always consistent.

3. Simplified implementation: Fixed-size tokens make implementation and integration easier, as the size is always known.

4. Improved security: Fixed-size tokens reduce the risk of token truncation or padding attacks.

The fixed output size of SHA-256 ensures that tokens are always consistent, efficient, and secure, making it an ideal choice for tokenization in various applications, including payment card processing, password storage, and data integrity verification.