[prev] [index] [next]

Problems with Hashing

In ideal scenarios, search cost in hash table is O(1).

Problems with hashing:

  • hash function relies on size of array ( can't expand)
    • changing the size of the array changes the hash function
    • could make array larger, but would need to re-insert all Items
  • items are stored in (effectively) random order
  • if size(KeySpace) size(IndexSpace),  collisions inevitable
    • collision:   k != j  &&  hash(k,N) == hash(j,N)
  • if nitems > nslots,  collisions inevitable