Hash Tables

A hash table is a data structure that stores data in a way that allows for quick retrieval. It uses a process called hashing, where a function converts a key (like a name) into a specific position or index in an array. The data (value) is then stored at that position. When you need to find the data again, the hash function calculates the same index, making access very fast—often in constant time. Hash tables are widely used in databases, caches, and programming languages to efficiently manage and retrieve large amounts of information.