What term describes a value computed on data to detect error or manipulation?

The term that describes a value computed on data to detect errors or manipulation is a checksum. A checksum is a small-sized piece of data derived from a larger data set through a specific algorithm. It serves as a quick way to verify the integrity of data during transmission or storage. When data is sent or stored, a checksum is generated based on its contents. Upon receipt or retrieval, a new checksum is computed using the same algorithm, and if the two checksums match, it indicates that the data has likely not been altered or corrupted.

This mechanism is widely used in networking and data storage systems to ensure data integrity. While it is effective in detecting simple errors, it may not be foolproof against intentional manipulation of the data, where more complex mechanisms like cryptographic hash functions are preferred.

The other terms provided do not specifically refer to a value computed for error detection in the same manner. A hash function, for instance, is a broader concept that can be utilized for various purposes, including creating checksums, but its primary function is to take an input and produce a fixed-size string of characters. A cryptographic key is used in encryption processes rather than for detecting data integrity. Data redundancy, on the other hand, refers to the duplication of data to