How do hash tables differ from arrays?

How do hash tables differ from arrays?

Hash tables and arrays are both data structures, but they differ in how they store and access data. Arrays use a fixed index for access, while hash tables use a hash function to compute an index.

What are the advantages of using hash tables over arrays?

Hash tables offer faster average time complexity for lookups, insertions, and deletions, typically O(1), compared to O(n) for arrays.

Are there any downsides to using hash tables?

Yes, hash tables can have issues like collisions, where two keys hash to the same index, and they also require more memory than arrays.

In what scenarios would you prefer arrays over hash tables?

Arrays are preferable when you need ordered data, require less memory, or when the size of the dataset is known and fixed.