Re: [boost] Container suggestions (was: Re: BOOST_NO_HASH)

From: Peter Dimov (pdimov_at_[hidden])
Date: 2001-01-07 09:17:51

From: "Greg Colvin" <greg_at_[hidden]>

> > > Since it seems that hash stuff is useful, maybe we could add
hash-based
> > > classes to Boost.
>
> I've never been big on general-purpose hashtables, as a
> tree-based set or map provides the same interface and
> more, and reasonable average and worst case performance,
> whereas a hashtable can have truly terrible worst case
> performance.

Is this a reason for not giving the user a choice? Given a hash_map, I can
evaluate its performance in the particular situation I'm interested in and
decide whether I want a hash_map or an ordinary map.

In many cases the hash_map wins by an order of magnitude.

--
Peter Dimov
Multi Media Ltd.