In this article we’ll go through the Python hash function and it’s uses, complete with several examples.
Most objects in python have a “hash” number. The hash() function returns this hash value when it is applied to one of these objects. Objects with the __hash__() are the ones that have a hash value. Any easy way to check if a object has this method is to use the help() function on it. Doing so will reveal all it’s methods among-st other things.
Syntax
hash(object)The hash function comes with a limitation or two on the type of objects passed through it and some other quirks.
- The hash function only works on immutable objects. This automatically rules out objects like lists and dictionaries.
- Same numerical values have the same hash value. For instance,
6and6.0have the same hash. - hash Function takes only one parameter at a time.