8.Hashing (1)
Hashing: The process of mapping a key value to a position in a table.
A hash function maps key values to positions. It is denoted by h.
A hash table is an array that holds the records. It is denoted by HT.
HT has M slots, indexed form 0 to M−1.
Hashing (2)
For any value K in the key range and some hash function
h, h(K)=i, 0<=i<M, such that
key(HT[i]) =K.
Hashing is appropriate only for sets (no duplicates).
Good for both in-memory and disk-based applications.
Answers the question "What record, if any, has key value K?"