make_hashtable


make_hashtable(hfn, eqp, @optional size)
      

Return a new hash table.

Hash tables represent sets of associations between arbitrary values. They serve essentially the same purpose as association lists but are typically much faster when large numbers of associations are involved. Hash table literals are written by enclosing pairs of associations in a #{}, example – #{'name:"nemo", 'age:3}. A hash table literal is internally constructed by calling make_equal_hashtable.

The arguments hfn and eqp must be functions. If size is provided, it must be a nonnegative exact integer indicating approximately how many elements the hash table should initially hold. Hash tables grow as needed, but when the hash table grows it generally must rehash all of the existing elements. Providing a nonzero size can help limit the amount of rehashing that must be done as the table is initially populated.

The new hash table computes hash values using hfn and compare keys using eqp, neither of which should modify the hash table. Eqp should compare two keys and return false only if the two keys should be distinguished. Hfn should accept a key as an argument and return a nonnegative exact integer value that is the same each time it is called with arguments that eqp does not distinguish.

Examples:


let h = make_hashtable(string_hash, string_is_eq)
hashtable_set(h, "name", "mat")
hashtable_at(h, "name")
// "mat"
      

Also see:

make_eq_hashtable
is_hashtable


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