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# Algorand Specifications

Algorand uses [SHA-256 algorithm](https://datatracker.ietf.org/doc/html/rfc4634) to allow verification of Algorand’s state and transactions on environments where SHA-512/256 is not supported.

In Algorand, the SHA-256 algorithm is used to:

- Compute the hash of the previous _Light Block Header_ (`prev`) (see Ledger [normative specification](https://specs.algorand.co/ledger/ledger-block#previous-hash));

- Generate an additional commitment (`txn256`) of the transactions included in the block ( _payset_) (see Ledger [normative specification](https://specs.algorand.co/ledger/ledger-block#transaction-commitments)).