hashtabelitellike

Hashtabelitellike is a generic term used to describe a hash table–like data structure that stores key-value pairs and supports fast lookup, insertion, and deletion. It uses a hash function to map each key to a position in an underlying array of buckets, aiming for constant-time average-case operations under a suitably chosen hash function and load factor.

Implementation details: collision resolution strategies include separate chaining using linked lists or dynamic arrays, and open addressing methods such as linear probing, quadratic probing, or double hashing. The structure must handle resizing as the number of elements grows, typically by increasing the bucket array size and rehashing existing entries.

Performance and trade-offs: Average-case time complexity O(1) for insert, search, delete; worst-case can degrade to O(n) with poor hash distribution or adverse collision. Memory usage depends on load factor and the overhead of stored keys and values.

Language examples and usage: hash-table-like structures are core to many programming languages as dictionaries or maps; examples include C++ unordered_map, Java HashMap, Python dict, Go map. They are widely used for caches, symbol tables, and indexing in databases.

Variants: Some implementations preserve insertion order, offer thread-safety, or provide immutable variants.