HashMap Data Structure
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The HashMap in Java uses a Hash function so all its basic operations (adding, removing and finding keys) can be done in constant time. Other languages provide the same capabilities with their Map-equivalent classes. The HashMap's performance is useful for finding optimal solutions to many different problems.
Dictionary Data Structure
Many projects involve matching keys and values so the Map data type is often a natural fit for implementing them:
| Application | Purpose | Mapping |
|---|---|---|
| Phone book | Get phone numbers | Map names to phone numbers |
| Dictionary | Define words | Map words to definitions |
| Internet DNS Lookup | Find IP addresses for accessing websites | Map domain names to IP addresses |
When Not to use HashMaps
Q: If the HashMap can do everything so quickly, why would I ever use another data structure for quickly looking up items?
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