Re: [HACKERS] Patch for UUID datatype (beta)

On Mon, Sep 18, 2006 at 04:00:22PM -0500, Jim C. Nasby wrote:
> BTW, at a former company we used SHA1s to identify files that had been
> uploaded. We were wondering on the odds of 2 different files hashing to
> the same value and found some statistical comparisons of probabilities.
> I don't recall the details, but the odds of duplicating a SHA1 (1 in
> 2^160) are so insanely small that it's hard to find anything in the
> physical world that compares. To duplicate random 256^256 numbers you'd
> probably have to search until the heat-death of the universe.

The birthday paradox gives you about 2^80 (about 10^24) files before a
SHA1 match, which is huge enough as it is. AIUI a UUID is only 2^128
bits so that would make 2^64 (about 10^19) random strings before you
get a duplicate. Embed the time in there and the chance becomes
*really* small, because then you have to get it in the same second.

Have a nice day,
--
Martijn van Oosterhout <kleptog(at)svana(dot)org> http://svana.org/kleptog/
> From each according to his ability. To each according to his ability to litigate.