Grade 1 Quiz: Hash Functions

What is a hash function?

• A hash function is a function that takes an input (or 'message') and returns a fixed-size string of bytes.

• A hash function is a type of dance move

• A hash function is a type of breakfast cereal

• A hash function is a type of car engine

How does a hash function work?

• It has no specific output size for the given input.

• It converts a string of characters into an input.

• It takes an input and produces a fixed-size string of characters.

• It generates a random output for any given input.

Why are hash functions important in computing?

• Hash functions are important because they slow down the computer

• Hash functions are important in computing because they are used to map data of arbitrary size to fixed-size values, which are used for data integrity, security, and indexing.

• Hash functions are important because they increase the size of data

• Hash functions are important because they are only used for decorative purposes

What are the properties of a good hash function?

• Biased distribution, unpredictability, collision immunity

• Random distribution, randomness, non-collision

• Consistent distribution, non-determinism, collision tolerance

• Uniform distribution, determinism, collision resistance

Explain the concept of collision resistance in hash functions.

• It is easy to find two different inputs that produce the same hash value.

• It is computationally infeasible to find two different inputs that produce the same hash value.

• Collision resistance only applies to certain types of hash functions.

• Collision resistance means that the hash function always produces the same output for the same input.

Why is it important for a hash function to have a low probability of collisions?

• To ensure that the hash function produces the same output for similar inputs

• To ensure that different inputs will not produce the same hash value

• To increase the speed of the hash function

• To make the hash function more secure

Where are hash functions commonly used in computer science?

• Sorting algorithms, searching algorithms, and graph algorithms

• Data encryption, data compression, and data transmission

• Data retrieval, data storage, and data integrity verification

• User authentication, user authorization, and user interface design

How are hash functions used in password storage?

• By compressing the password into a smaller size

• By encrypting the password with a secret key

• By converting the password into a fixed-size string of characters

• By converting the password into a random sequence of characters

Explain how hash functions are used in data structures like hash tables.

• Hash functions are used to encrypt data

• Hash functions are used to sort data alphabetically

• Hash functions map data to a fixed size array

• Hash functions are used to delete data from the structure

What is the purpose of using hash functions in linked lists?

• To make the list more difficult to search through

• To randomly rearrange the elements in the list

• To slow down the process of locating elements in the list

• To quickly locate the position of an element in the list based on its key.