war story: parallel(1) command

[James Knott]

Eric B wrote:
> If one calculates the SHA-N hash for each file, that would
> answer the question ("Are these files the same or different?")
> with virtual certainty.  There is NO need for an additional
> compare if the same hash is found.

You're forgetting one key point.  A hash is a limited number of bits,
which means you cannot have a unique hash for every possible file. 
Collisions, while not likely, are not impossible.

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