Algorithm Design Questions Medium
The main difference between a hash set and a hash table lies in their purpose and functionality.
A hash set is a data structure that stores a collection of unique elements. It uses a hash function to map each element to a specific index in an underlying array. The primary goal of a hash set is to efficiently determine whether a given element is present in the set or not. It does not store any associated values or key-value pairs.
On the other hand, a hash table, also known as a hash map, is a data structure that stores key-value pairs. It uses a hash function to map each key to a specific index in an underlying array. The hash table allows efficient insertion, deletion, and retrieval of key-value pairs. It provides a way to associate values with keys and enables quick access to the values based on their corresponding keys.
In summary, the key difference between a hash set and a hash table is that a hash set stores only unique elements without any associated values, while a hash table stores key-value pairs, allowing efficient retrieval and modification of values based on their corresponding keys.