What is checksum file?
The checksum file is an relatively small file which contains the checksum values of other files. Because the checksum values have fixed length (usually from 16 to 256 bits) the size of checksum file not depend from size of this files, only from their quantity. This allow by small oversizing of summary data let possibility of verifying integrity of data files at any time. There are many formats of checksum files, frequently proprietary or closed. But there is also several open and widely supported formats. In the binary newsgroups and file-sharing networks is well known format is SFV, that mean “Simple File Verification”. And it’s really “simple” – in this format is used the CRC32 algorithm and the file structure supposes ambiguity. We do not recommend use of this format except of case of strong necessity The another format mostly known in open systems world is format of MD5SUM utility. This format using the more secure and reliable MD5 algorithm and have more convenient structure of fi
