Explain the process of deleting an element from a hash table.

The process of deleting an element from a hash table involves several steps. Here is a detailed explanation of the process:

1. Hashing: The first step is to determine the hash value of the element that needs to be deleted. This is done by applying a hash function to the key of the element. The hash function maps the key to a specific index in the hash table.

2. Collision Resolution: If there are multiple elements that have the same hash value (collision), a collision resolution technique is used to handle it. Common collision resolution techniques include chaining and open addressing.

3. Searching: Once the hash value is determined, the search begins at the index corresponding to the hash value. The search is performed to find the element that needs to be deleted. If chaining is used, the linked list at the index is traversed to find the element. If open addressing is used, a probing sequence is followed until the element is found.

4. Deletion: Once the element is found, it is deleted from the hash table. The specific steps for deletion depend on the collision resolution technique used.

- Chaining: In chaining, the element is removed from the linked list at the index. The previous node's next pointer is updated to skip the deleted element.

- Open Addressing: In open addressing, the element is marked as deleted by setting a special flag or marker. This is done to maintain the integrity of the probing sequence and ensure that subsequent searches can still find other elements.

5. Rehashing: After the deletion, if the load factor (the ratio of the number of elements to the size of the hash table) falls below a certain threshold, rehashing may be performed. Rehashing involves creating a new hash table with a larger size and reinserting all the remaining elements into the new table. This helps in maintaining a balanced and efficient hash table.

Overall, the process of deleting an element from a hash table involves determining the hash value, searching for the element, deleting it based on the collision resolution technique, and potentially rehashing the table if necessary.