How is the hash function selected for data distribution?

The selection of a hash function for data distribution aims to evenly distribute keys across the hash table to minimize collisions and ensure efficient access.

Main criteria for choosing a hash function:

• Uniform distribution: the function should distribute keys across the entire range of indices without clustering.
• Speed of computation: the function should be fast to avoid slowing down operations.
• Determinism: the same key should always produce the same hash.

In practice, ready-made hash functions (e.g., MurmurHash, FNV, CRC) are often used, and multiple methods are combined. When designing a custom function, the data type of the key and the nature of the input data distribution are taken into account.

In Go, the standard library provides built-in hash functions, and the choice usually comes down to selecting the appropriate data type and structure rather than writing a custom function.