4 Hash Table Books That Separate Experts from Amateurs

Insights from Paul Dorfman, Arno Mittelbach, and Thomas Mailund reveal key Hash Table strategies

Updated on June 25, 2025
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What if a simple data structure could unlock exponential efficiency in your software? Hash tables do just that, powering everything from databases to cryptography with lightning-fast lookups. In an era where data grows relentlessly, mastering this tool is no longer optional — it’s essential.

Paul Dorfman, a pioneer in SAS hash algorithms, has shown how advanced data management hinges on these structures. Meanwhile, Dr. Arno Mittelbach, a cryptography development director, explores the theory behind hash functions that secure our digital world. And Thomas Mailund, a bioinformatics professor, bridges practical programming with foundational design in C.

While these expert-curated books provide proven frameworks, readers seeking content tailored to their specific programming languages, cryptographic needs, or data scales might consider creating a personalized Hash Table book that builds on these insights.

Paul Dorfman is an independent consultant with decades of experience in SAS software development across multiple industries such as telecommunications and pharmaceuticals. Having pioneered SAS hash algorithm applications since 1998, Dorfman brings unmatched expertise to this book, born from years of practical programming and conference presentations. His background ensures readers gain insights grounded in real-world challenges and solutions, especially in dynamic data management tasks using SAS hash objects.
2018·400 pages·Hash Table, Hashing, Data Management, Data Aggregation, Memory Optimization

What happens when deep expertise in SAS programming meets the challenges of complex data management? Paul Dorfman, a pioneer in applying hash algorithms within SAS environments since the late 1990s, unpacks this in detail. This book guides you through leveraging the SAS hash object's dynamic capabilities to handle data aggregation, filtering, sorting, and memory optimization, using real-world examples like sports statistics to ground its insights. You'll learn not just how to perform CRUD operations with hash tables but also how to manage their memory footprint effectively when dealing with big data. It's a solid read if you're aiming to master advanced data management techniques using SAS tools.

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Dr. Arno Mittelbach, Director of Development at AGT International and PhD graduate from Technische Universität Darmstadt, leverages his deep expertise in cryptology to present this detailed examination of hash functions. His background grounds the book’s focus on placing hash functions at the core of modern cryptography, offering readers an authoritative perspective shaped by rigorous academic and professional experience.
2021·811 pages·Cryptography, Hashing, Hashing Algorithms, Hash Table, Random Oracle Model

Dr. Arno Mittelbach and Marc Fischlin bring a unique focus to cryptography by placing hash functions at the center of their analysis, diverging from the usual emphasis on encryption schemes. You’ll gain a thorough understanding of theoretical foundations such as computability and probability theory, then explore hash functions’ role in security through topics like message authentication codes and collision resistance. The book also dives deep into the random oracle model, including its controversies and real-world applications, before examining various hash function constructions and their security proofs. This text is well-suited for those wanting a rigorous, mathematically grounded approach to cryptographic hash functions and their broader implications.

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Best for personalized learning paths
This custom AI book on hash table mastery is created based on your background, skill level, and the specific challenges you want to tackle within data structures. By sharing your goals and interests, you receive a book that focuses on areas most relevant to you, whether it's optimizing performance, exploring cryptographic applications, or understanding dynamic resizing. Personalization here makes your learning efficient and directly applicable, ensuring you get the knowledge needed without wading through unrelated material.
2025·50-300 pages·Hash Table, Hash Tables, Hash Functions, Collision Resolution, Memory Optimization

This tailored book explores the design and application of hash tables through a lens that matches your background and learning goals. It covers fundamental concepts such as collision resolution and hash function selection, while delving into specialized areas like memory optimization and data scaling relevant to your needs. By focusing on your specific interests, this personalized guide reveals how hash tables underpin efficient data retrieval and storage in various programming contexts. The book examines real-world use cases and common challenges in hash table implementation, helping you build a deep understanding of their role in performance-critical environments. With content tailored to your skill level and objectives, it offers a clear pathway to mastering hash table design that suits your unique technical landscape.

Tailored Guide
Performance Tuning
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Best for C programmers mastering hash tables
Thomas Mailund is an associate professor in bioinformatics at Aarhus University, Denmark, with a background in math and computer science. His experience teaching and programming in C and R, combined with a decade focused on genetics and evolutionary studies, informs this book. He wrote it to bridge theoretical knowledge and practical application by guiding you through building hash tables in C, covering collision handling and resizing techniques with accessible source code.
2019·217 pages·Hash Table, Hashing Algorithms, Hashing, Collision Resolution, Data Structures

Thomas Mailund, an associate professor with a strong foundation in math and computer science, channels his expertise into this focused guide on hash table implementations using C. You’ll learn how to build hash tables from basic versions without collision handling to more sophisticated designs that address performance trade-offs through various collision resolution strategies. The book guides you through resizing mechanisms and storing key-value pairs, offering concrete source code examples hosted on GitHub for hands-on experimentation. It’s tailored for programmers comfortable with C who want to deepen their understanding of efficient data structures, especially those interested in optimizing lookup, insertion, and deletion operations.

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Best for cryptographic hash implementers
The National Institute of Standards and Technology is a federal agency specializing in measurement and cryptographic standards, including SHA-3. Their authoritative expertise shapes this book, providing a precise and official standard for the SHA-3 family of permutation-based hash and extendable-output functions. With decades of experience in cryptographic research and standards development, NIST offers you a foundational resource essential for understanding and implementing SHA-3 securely and correctly.
2015·44 pages·Hashing Algorithms, Hash Table, Hashing, SHA-3, Permutation Functions

The National Institute of Standards and Technology, a federal agency renowned for developing measurement and cryptographic standards, authored this detailed specification of the SHA-3 family of hash functions. This document delves into the KECCAK algorithm's permutation-based design, explaining the mathematical underpinnings and operational parameters essential for implementing SHA-3 securely. If you need a definitive reference on this cryptographic standard, including the KECCAK-p permutations foundational to future cryptographic functions, this is the go-to resource. The book caters primarily to cryptographers, security engineers, and software developers seeking authoritative guidance on SHA-3 implementation and related hash-based constructions.

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Conclusion

These four books weave together theory, practical implementation, cryptographic rigor, and advanced data management techniques—capturing the multifaceted nature of hash tables. If you’re tackling complex SAS datasets, start with Paul Dorfman’s guide to harness hash objects efficiently. For a deep dive into cryptographic foundations, Arno Mittelbach’s work lays the mathematical groundwork.

Programmers aiming to refine their C skills and optimize data structures will find Thomas Mailund’s book invaluable. And if your focus is secure hash function implementation, the SHA-3 Standard offers definitive guidance. For rapid application blending these perspectives, consider combining Dorfman’s and Mailund’s insights.

Alternatively, you can create a personalized Hash Table book to bridge the gap between general principles and your specific situation. These books can help you accelerate your learning journey and sharpen your technical edge.

Frequently Asked Questions

I'm overwhelmed by choice – which book should I start with?

Start with the book that matches your focus: SAS users should pick Dorfman’s guide, while C programmers benefit from Mailund’s practical approach. Cryptography enthusiasts will find Mittelbach’s theory and the SHA-3 Standard invaluable.

Are these books too advanced for someone new to Hash Table?

Some books, like Mailund’s, are accessible for programmers familiar with C basics, while Mittelbach’s and SHA-3 delve into advanced cryptography. Beginners may prefer starting with implementation-focused texts before tackling theory-heavy works.

What's the best order to read these books?

Begin with practical implementation books like Dorfman’s or Mailund’s to build hands-on skills, then explore Mittelbach’s theoretical framework, followed by the SHA-3 Standard for cryptographic applications.

Do I really need to read all of these, or can I just pick one?

You can choose based on your goals. Each book offers unique insights—pick the one aligning closest with your work, whether it's data management, cryptography theory, or C programming.

Which books focus more on theory vs. practical application?

Mittelbach’s book emphasizes theory and security proofs, while Dorfman’s and Mailund’s focus on practical implementations. The SHA-3 Standard serves as an official technical reference.

Can I get a Hash Table guide tailored to my needs?

Yes! While these expert books provide solid foundations, you can create a personalized Hash Table book that matches your background, skill level, and specific goals—bridging expert knowledge with your unique application.

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