RE: AW: [HACKERS] beta testing version

[Christopher Kings-Lynne]

> CRCs are designed to catch N-bit errors (ie N bits in a row with their
> values flipped).  N is (IIRC) the number of bits in the CRC minus one.
> So, a 32-bit CRC can catch all 31-bit errors.  That's the only guarantee
> a CRC gives.  Everything else has a 1 in 2^32-1 chance of producing the
> same CRC as the original data.  That's pretty good odds, but not a
> guarantee.

You've got a higher chance of undetected hard drive errors, memory errors,
solar flares, etc. than a CRC of that quality failing...

Chris