> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://docs.jentis.com/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://docs.jentis.com/developer-guide/variables/server-side-variables/public-function-scope/getmd5.md).

# getMD5

## `getMD5` Function

The `getMD5` function generates an **MD5 hash** from a given input string using Node.js’ built-in [`crypto`](https://nodejs.org/api/crypto.html#cryptocreatehashalgorithm-options) module. It supports configurable **output encodings** for flexible use in tracking and transformation scenarios.

***

### Purpose

Use `this.getMD5` to:

* Create a **non-secure hash** of a string (e.g., for deduplication, consistent keys)
* Generate lightweight identifiers or short checksums
* Obfuscate simple input values for non-critical use cases

> ⚠️ **Note:** MD5 is considered insecure for cryptographic purposes. Do **not** use it for hashing sensitive or security-critical data.

***

### Function Definition

| Property          | Description                  |
| ----------------- | ---------------------------- |
| **Function Name** | `this.getMD5`                |
| **Type**          | `function`                   |
| **Available In**  | Server-Side Variables        |
| **Returns**       | `string` (the hashed output) |

***

### Parameters

| Parameter  | Description                                            | Type     | Required                                      | Example    |
| ---------- | ------------------------------------------------------ | -------- | --------------------------------------------- | ---------- |
| `input`    | The string value to hash                               | `string` | <i class="fa-square-check">:square-check:</i> | `"secret"` |
| `encoding` | The output encoding format (`"hex"`, `"base64"`, etc.) | `string` | <i class="fa-square-check">:square-check:</i> | `"hex"`    |

***

### Supported Encodings

Refer to the [Node.js crypto documentation](https://nodejs.org/api/crypto.html#cryptocreatehashalgorithm-options) for supported encodings. Common options:

* `hex` (recommended for readable output)
* `base64`
* `latin1`

***

### Example Usage

```js
async function() {
    let x = this.getMD5("secret", "hex");
    return x;
}
```

This example returns the MD5 hash of the string `"secret"` encoded as a hexadecimal string.

***

### Use Cases

* Generate **consistent hash keys** for non-sensitive data
* Shorten string representations for logging or external IDs
* Create anonymized values when security is **not** a concern

***

### Notes

* Always specify a valid encoding (no default is assumed).
* For secure hashing (e.g., SHA-256), use `this.getHash` instead.
* Output is deterministic: same input and encoding will always return the same result.

***

### Summary

`this.getMD5` is a quick and easy way to generate an MD5 hash in JENTIS server-side variables. While not suitable for cryptographic use, it is useful for creating lightweight, repeatable hashes for general-purpose tracking logic.


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