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# Algorand Specifications

Algorand uses a version of [MsgPack](https://github.com/msgpack/msgpack/blob/master/spec.md) to produce canonical encodings of data.

Algorand’s msgpack encodings are valid msgpack encodings, but the encoding function is _deterministic_ to ensure a canonical representation that can be reproduced to verify signatures.

A canonical msgpack encoding in Algorand must follow these rules:

1. Maps **MUST** contain keys in lexicographic order;

2. Maps **MUST** omit key-value pairs where the value is a _zero-value_, unless otherwise specified;

3. Positive integer values **MUST** be encoded as `unsigned` in msgpack, regardless of whether the value space is semantically signed or unsigned;

4. Integer values **MUST** be represented in the _shortest possible encoding_;

5. Binary arrays **MUST** be represented using the `bin` format family (that is, use the most recent version of msgpack rather than the older msgpack version that had no `bin` family).