Hashing Questions
The main difference between a hash table and a linked list is the way they store and retrieve data.
A hash table is a data structure that uses a hash function to map keys to an index in an array. It allows for efficient insertion, deletion, and retrieval of data by using this index. The key-value pairs are stored in buckets at the corresponding index, and collisions (when two keys map to the same index) are handled using techniques like chaining or open addressing.
On the other hand, a linked list is a linear data structure where each element (node) contains a value and a reference to the next node. It is not directly indexed, and data is stored in a sequential manner. To access a specific element, the linked list needs to be traversed from the beginning until the desired element is found.
In summary, the key differences are:
1. Storage: Hash tables use an array-based structure with direct indexing, while linked lists use a sequential structure with references between nodes.
2. Retrieval: Hash tables provide faster retrieval by directly accessing the index based on the key, while linked lists require traversing the list to find the desired element.
3. Handling Collisions: Hash tables have mechanisms to handle collisions, such as chaining or open addressing, while linked lists do not have built-in collision resolution techniques.
4. Efficiency: Hash tables generally offer faster average-case performance for insertion, deletion, and retrieval operations, while linked lists have a constant time complexity for insertion and deletion at the beginning or end of the list.