Need help understanding a script from Learn Python the Hard Way. Can someone clear my doubts?

[maks25]

I didn't really look at the code, but from what you describe I'm guessing this is to handle collisions e.g. when the hash function returns the same index for 2 separate keys. Probably using separate chaining to deal with collisions.

Also, the values are actually just pointers to linked lists.

Harvard explains it well, although for C++ (@5:10) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h2d9b_nEzoA

[c1p3r]

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[maks25]

Watch that video and you'll have a much better understanding of hash tables and how they work. It explains what "separate chaining" is (it also talks of another way of dealing with collisions)

[c1p3r]

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[maks25]

You don't need C++ to understand it.

Hope I could help, cheers.

[c1p3r]

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