This is a submission for DEV Computer Science Challenge v24.06.12: One Byte Explainer.

Explainer

Hashing converts input data into a fixed-size string of characters, which appears random. It's used in data structures like hash tables for fast data retrieval. Good hashing minimizes collisions, where different inputs produce the same output.

Additional Context

Hashing is essential for quick data access and security (e.g., in cryptographic functions). It balances speed and efficiency, enabling operations like lookup and insertion in constant time, O(1), when implemented well.