HASH TABLE Meaning and
Definition
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A hash table refers to a data structure used in computer science that allows efficient storage and retrieval of key-value pairs. It is commonly known as a hash map, hash array, or associative array. The underlying concept behind a hash table is the use of a hash function, which takes an input and converts it into a numerical value called a hash code or hash value.
The hash code is then used as an index or address in an array or table to store the corresponding key-value pair. This process of mapping keys to specific indices is called hashing. The hash function aims to distribute the keys uniformly across the table, minimizing collisions where two keys may generate the same hash code.
During insertion, the hash table calculates the hash code for the key and maps it to the corresponding index. In case of collision, i.e., when two different keys produce the same hash code, various techniques like chaining or open addressing are used to handle the situation.
One of the main advantages of using a hash table is its ability to provide constant-time complexity for insertion, deletion, and retrieval operations, making it highly efficient. It enables fast access to elements based on their unique keys, making it ideal for implementing databases, caches, symbol tables, and other applications where quick search or lookup operations are crucial.
In summary, a hash table is a data structure that utilizes a hash function to map keys to their corresponding indices for efficient storage, retrieval, and processing of key-value pairs.
Common Misspellings for HASH TABLE
- gash table
- bash table
- nash table
- jash table
- uash table
- yash table
- hzsh table
- hssh table
- hwsh table
- hqsh table
- haah table
- hazh table
- haxh table
- hadh table
- haeh table
- hawh table
- hasg table
- hasb table
- hasn table
- hasj table
Etymology of HASH TABLE
The etymology of the term "hash table" can be traced back to the word "hash", which is a short form of "hashish", a concentrated form of cannabis resin. The term "hash" in computer science originated from the concept of "hashing", which refers to the process of converting a key or value into a unique numerical value. The use of "hash" in this context is believed to have been inspired by the hash function used in the process.
The term "hash table" was first used in the mid-20th century to describe a data structure that implements a hash function for efficient data retrieval. The use of "table" in the term refers to a tabular data structure used to store key-value pairs, where the keys are hashed to generate an index for quick access.
