What are the differences between a Trie and a HashMap?

What are the differences between a Trie and a HashMap?

A Trie is a tree-like data structure used for storing strings, while a HashMap is a key-value pair storage. Tries are efficient for prefix searches.

When should I use a Trie instead of a HashMap?

Use a Trie when you need to perform prefix searches or autocomplete features. HashMaps are better for quick lookups.

What are the time complexities for both data structures?

For a Trie, insertion and search operations are O(m), where m is the length of the string. For a HashMap, these operations are O(1) on average.

Are there any downsides to using a Trie?

Yes, Tries can consume more memory than HashMaps, especially if the dataset has many short strings.

Can you give an example of when a HashMap is more efficient?

A HashMap is more efficient for scenarios where you need fast access to data without the need for prefix searching, like caching.