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Software Engineering vocabulary · APIs, Networking and Security

Nonce

Meaning in software engineering, with examples

nounAdvanced term

In software engineering, nonce means: A value intended to be used only once within a defined protocol or cryptographic context.

In Turkish: tek kullanımlık değer

How it is used

Used to distinguish exchanges or protect freshness. Required uniqueness and unpredictability depend on the protocol; a nonce need not always be random.

Example sentences

  1. The server marked the nonce as used after accepting the signed response.

    Remembering use helps prevent the same challenge from authorizing another exchange.

  2. The protocol derives each nonce from a counter that must not repeat under the same key.

    A counter can provide uniqueness; random generation is not part of this example.

Common collocations

  • generate a nonce
  • nonce reuse
  • tokenA string of characters that proves a user or app has already logged in or has permission. It is sent with each request instead of a password.
  • encryption keyA secret value, usually a long string of bits, that an encryption algorithm uses to lock and unlock data. Without it, the encrypted data cannot be read.

More terms: APIs, Networking and Security

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