title: Numeric hashing function in SQL Server?
body: <p>Is there such thing as a hashing function that produces numbers as its output?</p>
  
  <p>Basically- I need to create a key column in my SQL Server that is deterministic (the result is repeatable) and is based off 3 columns in the database. This column will be used as key for that piece of data that will go into a remote system (and I will use this key to match the data back up when it is created in the foreign system).</p>
  
  <p>For similar things, I have been using an SHA5 hashing algorithm to create my keys, however the data I am dealing with at the moment has to be numeric.</p>
  
  <p>Any ideas?
  The result has to be repeatable and as such has to be based off the input columns.</p>