Re: [Multiformats] New versions of Multibase and Multihash published

[Manu Sporny <[e-mail]>]

On Mon, Aug 21, 2023 at 8:39 AM Robin Berjon <[e-mail]> wrote:
> > No, because CIDs are not file hashes, so you can't just use Multihash for them:
> >
> > https://docs.ipfs.tech/concepts/content-addressing/#cids-are-not-file-hashes
>
> I'm not sure how you reach that conclusion? You can put a CID in a URL
> and the scheme will determine how it gets resolved. What that looks like
> really depends on what you're trying to achieve.

All of the examples Melvin provided were specific to file hashes...
the "mh" and "ni" schemes don't just work with any multicodec value,
they are expected to be used with raw file hash values.

I can see the argument for "CIDs are just another type of content
identifier that is based on a cryptographic hash -- therefore, they
should be recognized by the mh and ni schemes", and that is /an/
argument. It's a weak one, IMHO... a stretch, especially since CID
v1-v3 are not identified as multihash values in the Multicodec
registry. IPFS' own documentation is pretty clear on the matter that
"CIDs are not file hashes".

All that said, I don't have a strong opinion on the matter... just
noting that eyebrows will raise if folks put CIDs into Multihash w/o
some soul searching in the IPFS community. :)

-- manu

-- 
Manu Sporny - https://www.linkedin.com/in/manusporny/
Founder/CEO - Digital Bazaar, Inc.
https://www.digitalbazaar.com/