Hashing Algorithms | C Program To Implement Dictionary Using

current = current->next;

If the hash function distributes the data evenly, the chains remain tiny ( constant time complexity).

// Search for keys printf("\nValue of 'apple': %d\n", search(dict, "apple")); printf("Value of 'mango': %d\n", search(dict, "mango")); // not found

O(n + m) where m is table size. Each entry stores two strings plus a pointer overhead. c program to implement dictionary using hashing algorithms

Since different keys can produce the same index, we must handle "collisions." In this guide, we will use Chaining (linked lists at each index). The Components 1. The Node Structure

: The insertion algorithm searches the chain first. If it uncovers an identical key, it wipes out the old definition using free() and saves the new text rather than building duplicate keys.

// Inserting values insert(&ht, 1, 100); insert(&ht, 2, 200); insert(&ht, 11, 1100); // Collision: 11 % 10 = 1 (chains with key 1) insert(&ht, 21, 2100); // Collision: 21 % 10 = 1 (chains with key 1 and 11) insert(&ht, 5, 500); current = current->next; If the hash function distributes

Hashing transforms a "key" (like a word) into an integer index. This index tells us exactly where to store the corresponding "value" (the definition) in an array. Takes a string and returns an integer.

// Initialize the hash table void initHashTable(struct HashTable* ht) for (int i = 0; i < SIZE; i++) ht->table[i] = NULL;

printf("Key '%s' not found for deletion.\n", key); Since different keys can produce the same index,

By utilizing hashing algorithms, you can implement a dictionary in C that guarantees O(1) average time complexity for insertions, deletions, and lookups. This article will walk you through the core concepts of hashing, collision resolution, and provide a fully functional, production-ready C program to implement a dictionary. Understanding the Theory: How Hashing Works

printf("contains apple? %s\n", ht_contains(dict, "apple") ? "yes" : "no");