Hash Map vs Dictionary Performance: Which is Better?

What are the performance differences between hash maps and dictionaries?

Hash maps and dictionaries both offer average O(1) time complexity for lookups, but their performance can vary based on implementation.

Are there specific scenarios where one is better than the other?

Yes, hash maps are generally faster for large datasets, while dictionaries may have better performance with smaller datasets due to lower overhead.

What about memory usage? Is one more efficient?

Hash maps typically use more memory due to their underlying array structure and potential for resizing, while dictionaries can be more memory-efficient.

Can you give examples of programming languages that use each?

Sure! Java uses hash maps in its Collections framework, while Python uses dictionaries as its built-in mapping type.