🔗 Hash Functions Deep Dive

Earlier, we looked at hashtables and how we can use them to to store and retrieve values very efficiently. The core to making data structures like the hashtable actually work is the hash function. Now, we did talk about hash functions as part of our hashtable exploration, but we only scratched the surface of what they are. They are a very useful concept to fully understand on their own because we will encounter them all the time in cases like the following:

• Data storage and retrieval
• Password verification
• File integrity checking
• Digital signatures
• Data deduplication
• ...and more!

It’s definitely a good idea for you and I to back up a bit and learn all about what hash functions are and how to write our own from scratch just to get a better understanding of the complexities involved.

Onwards!