The veritas command looks for a checksum validation number encoded in a VTS reference record in the given input file. (See the Reference Records (1) description.) The command then calculates the checksum for the file (excluding the VTS record itself) and compares this value with the checksum encoded in the file. If these values differ, a warning is issued that the file has been modified in some way. If these values are the same, a confirming message is issued.

Note that this verification process is easily circumvented by malicious individuals. For better security, the -v option should be invoked and the output checksum value should be compared with an independent printed list of checksums provided by the supplier of the electronic document.

-h	displays a help screen summarizing the command syntax
-v	invoke verbose mode

The -v option will cause the checksum validation number to be output. This value should be manually compared with a printed checksum provided by the supplier of the electronic document. Note that the change of even a single character in a file typically leads to a radically different checksum.

• Pertinent description in the Humdrum User Guide
• Index to Humdrum Commands
• Table for Contents for Humdrum User Guide