[RESOLVED] implementing SHA256, 512?

Hello all.
When I write the following:

Code:

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echo sha1($variable_to_encode);

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everything works fine.

But the same is not true when I replace "sha1" with "sha256" or "sha512".

I did a:

Code:

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var_dump(hash_algos());

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and I do have both listed on my system. Plus when I go to php.net/sha256, I don't get documentation the way you would with any other function.
If anyone could help me realize what I'm doing wrong I'd appreciate it.
Thanks.

Use the hash() function. It supports a number of different message digest systems, just change the first parameter.

PHP Code:

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echo hash("sha512","string to encrypt"); 


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http://www.php.net/manual/en/function.hash.php

simple enough. thanks!