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Elixir Identicons

Generate unique identicon avatars from strings using Elixir

GitHub Website

A command-line tool that generates unique, visually distinct identicon images from input strings using Elixir's functional programming paradigm.

Built with

  • Elixir
  • OTP
  • EEx (Embedded Elixir)

Key Features

Deterministic Generation

  • Same input always produces identical identicon
  • MD5 hashing for consistent color and pattern
  • Symmetrical 5x5 grid pattern

Functional Design

  • Pure functional implementation
  • Pattern matching for grid generation
  • Pipe operator for clean data flow

Image Output

  • PNG image generation
  • Customizable grid size
  • Color derived from input hash

How It Works

  1. Hash Input: Convert string to MD5 hash
  2. Pick Color: Extract RGB values from hash
  3. Build Grid: Create 5x5 grid from hash bytes
  4. Mirror Row: Apply horizontal symmetry
  5. Filter Odds: Determine filled squares
  6. Generate Image: Render to PNG file

Use Cases

  • Default user avatars
  • Visual identifiers for hashes
  • Unique project/repo icons
  • Anonymous user representation

Preview

Repository: github.com/ericgitangu/elixir-create-identicons

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