What is the purpose of a hashing function in data structures?

What is the purpose of a hashing function in data structures?

Hey Brett

A hashing function converts data of varying lengths into a consistent fixed-size value, often termed a hash code. This transformation facilitates efficient indexing, searching, and data retrieval in hash-centric structures such as hash tables. By ensuring rapid access to data, hashing plays a pivotal role in optimizing performance in computer algorithms and systems.