What are the best practices for using hash tables?

What are the best practices for using hash tables?

Some best practices include choosing an appropriate hash function, handling collisions effectively, and resizing the table when necessary.

Can you explain how to choose a good hash function?

A good hash function should distribute keys uniformly across the table, minimize collisions, and be fast to compute.

What are some common collision resolution techniques?

Common techniques include chaining, open addressing, and double hashing. Each has its pros and cons depending on the use case.

How do I know when to resize my hash table?

You should consider resizing when the load factor exceeds a certain threshold, typically around 0.7, to maintain performance.