Abstract: A fingerprint generating system generates a fingerprint value for an object in an object-oriented programming arrangement. The object comprises a digital information stream and the fingerprint generating system generates a fixed-length fingerprint value from the digital information stream. The fingerprint generating system receives the digital information stream comprising the object and processes the digital information stream in accordance with a selected hash value generating algorithm to generate a hash value which comprises the fingerprint value. The hash value generating algorithm is selected from a class of hash value generating algorithms characterized in that:i. in response to said input digital information stream, a digital hash value having a predetermined number of digital bits will be generated as an output;ii.