Hash Table in Data Structures

A hash table is a data structure that stores key-value pairs and allows for efficient insertion, deletion, and retrieval of data. It achieves this efficiency by using a hash function to compute an index where the data will be stored or retrieved from.

How it Works:

When a new key-value pair is inserted into a hash table, the hash function calculates an index based on the key. This index determines the position in the hash table where the value will be stored. During retrieval, the hash function computes the same index for the given key, allowing for quick access to the stored value.

Implementation:

In computer science, hash tables are typically implemented using arrays. Each element in the array corresponds to a "bucket" where key-value pairs are stored. The hash function translates keys into array indices, ensuring fast access to the stored values.

Collision resolution techniques, such as chaining or open addressing, are used to handle scenarios where multiple keys map to the same index. This ensures that all key-value pairs are stored and retrieved correctly.

Overall, hash tables provide efficient data storage and retrieval capabilities, making them a critical component of many algorithms and applications in computer science.