JHashCode (formerly JHash) is a freely distributed, open source and platform-independent application that has been designed from the ground up to act as a simple, portable and easy-to-use tool for generating hashes for various file types or entire folders. It can also be used to compare hashes.

Key features include support for multiple algorithm types, support for comparing hashes, support for generating hashes for files of directories, support for viewing the status of the hash generation, a very simple and easy-to-use graphical user interface (GUI), as well as support for all mainstream operating systems.

As mentioned above, the application comes with built-in support for a wide range of hash algorithms. Some of the most popular algorithms are supported by JHashCode, including MD2, MD5, SHA-1, SHA-256, SHA-384 and SHA-512.

We strongly suggest to use the JAR file to run JHashCode. The application has a very simple design, with no tabs or menus. To create a new hash, the user must choose the prefered hash algorithm, add a file or folder, and press the large “Generate Hash” button. Please note that you will have to first generate a hash in order for the built-in compare function to work properly.

A quick look under the hood will show us that the application is written entirely in the Java programming language and uses the Java Swing GUI widget toolkit for the graphical user interface, which means that it’s a cross-platform software.

The software is available for download as a universal JAR archive that can be easily used on any GNU/Linux distribution where the Java Runtime Environment is installed (at least version 5). A Windows installer and a source archive are also available for download.