Hashing in DBMS: Techniques and Applications

Hashing is defined as a technique in DBMS that is used to search for records in databases that are very large or even small. In larger databases, which contain thousands and millions of records, the indexing data structure technique becomes inefficient because searching a specific record using indexing consumes more time. So, to counter this problem, hashing techniques are used. In this article, we will go through various hashing techniques.

What is Hashing in DBMS?

The hashing technique uses a hash function to store data records in an auxiliary hash table. There are three major components in hashing:

• Hash Table: The total number of data records in the database determines the size of a hash table, which is an array or data structure. The precise location of a data record is stored in each memory location in a hash table, which is referred to as a “bucket” or hash index and is accessible via a hash function.
• Bucket: In the hash table where the data record is stored, a bucket is a memory index. Typically, a disk block that holds numerous records is stored in these buckets. Another name for it is the hash index.
• Hash Function: A hash function is an algorithm or mathematical equation that computes the hash index as the output after receiving the main key of one data record as input.

Also read: Cardinality in DBMS

Important Terminologies

Data Bucket

Data buckets are storage locations within a hash table where actual data records are kept. Each bucket can hold one or more records, depending on the implementation.

Hash Function

A hash function is a mathematical algorithm that converts a given input (often a primary key) into a specific address within the hash table. This address indicates where the corresponding data record is stored.

Hash Index

The hash index is the result produced by the hash function, representing the address of the data block within the hash table. It serves as a quick reference to locate the desired data.

Linear Probing

Linear probing is a collision resolution technique used when the initial bucket calculated by the hash function is already occupied. It sequentially checks the next available buckets in the hash table until an empty one is found.

Quadratic Probing

Quadratic probing is another collision resolution method similar to linear probing. However, instead of checking the next bucket linearly, it uses a quadratic function to determine the next bucket to check, reducing clustering issues.

Bucket Overflow

Bucket overflow occurs when the bucket identified by the hash function is already full. This situation requires additional handling strategies, such as linear or quadratic probing, to find an alternative bucket for storing the new record.

Working of Hash Function

A hash index is produced by the hash function using the data record’s primary key. There are now two options:

• There isn’t a value that already occupies the generated hash index. Thus, this is where the data record’s address will be kept.
• There is already another value occupying the hash index that was generated. This is referred to as a collision, so a collision resolution technique will be used to combat it.

The hash function now applies whenever we query a specific record, returning the data record much faster than indexing because we can use the hash function to find the exact location of the data record without having to search through all of the indices one by one.

Static Vs Dynamic Hashing in DBMS

Best Use Cases for Hashing

• Hashing algorithms excel in various scenarios where fast data retrieval, security, and efficiency are essential. Graphics processing, where quick access to pixel data or image properties is crucial, benefits from hashing’s speed. Similarly, game boards, particularly in complex video games, rely on hashing to quickly determine the state of the game and make efficient moves.

• In cybersecurity, hashing plays a pivotal role in generating message digests, ensuring data integrity, and detecting tampering. Moreover, during compiler operation, hashing helps expedite symbol table lookups and optimize code generation. Password verification is another prime application, enhancing security by storing and comparing password hashes instead of the actual passwords.

• Lastly, when linking file names and paths in file systems, hashing enables rapid access and reduces the need for exhaustive searches. In these use cases, hashing offers a powerful solution to streamline operations and enhance both performance and security.

Also Read: Data Integrity in DBMS

Conclusion

Hashing in databases is a technique that helps in speeding up data retrieval in large databases by using hash functions to search for records. It overcomes the inefficiencies of traditional indexing methods. There are two main hashing methods Static and Dynamic, Static uses fixed-sized tables while Dynamic adjusts itself based on the data volume. Each type has its advantages like static is simple and dynamic is flexible. Hashing is widely used in areas that need fast access, security, and performance, like cybersecurity, graphics processing, and file systems.