b2sum
Compute and verify BLAKE2 cryptographic checksums.
TLDR
SYNOPSIS
b2sum [options] [file...]
DESCRIPTION
b2sum computes and verifies BLAKE2b cryptographic checksums. BLAKE2 is a fast, secure hash function that outperforms MD5, SHA-1, and SHA-2 in software while providing at least as much security as SHA-3.The tool is part of GNU coreutils and provides similar functionality to md5sum and sha256sum.
PARAMETERS
-c, --check
Read checksums from the file(s) and verify them.-l, --length bits
Digest length in bits, a multiple of 8 (default: 512). Ignored when verifying.-b, --binary
Read in binary mode.-t, --text
Read in text mode (default).--tag
Create a BSD-style checksum line.-z, --zero
End each output line with NUL, not newline.--ignore-missing
When verifying, do not fail or report status for missing files.--quiet
When verifying, do not print OK for each successfully verified file.--status
When verifying, print nothing; signal result only via exit status.-w, --warn
When verifying, warn about improperly formatted checksum lines.--strict
When verifying, exit non-zero for any improperly formatted checksum line.
FEATURES
- Fast performance- Configurable output length (multiple of 8 bits)- Verification mode- Same interface as md5sum and sha256sum
WORKFLOW
b2sum file1 file2 > checksums.b2
# Verify
b2sum -c checksums.b2
# Use 256-bit digest
b2sum -l 256 file
CAVEATS
Not as widely supported as SHA-256. Different tools may use BLAKE2b vs BLAKE2s. Length parameter affects compatibility. Relatively new compared to SHA family.
HISTORY
b2sum was added to GNU coreutils in version 8.26 (2016), providing BLAKE2 hashing support following the algorithm's publication in 2012.