Hash tables are a classic data structure but struggle in P99-optimized applications, especially with variable-length records. Open addressing works well for fixed-length data, while chaining (as used in Redis) adds latency and pointer overhead. This talk presents an alternative: organizing hash tables as blocks that pack variable-length records together, reducing random memory accesses and cache inefficiencies. We’ll explore how block-based design with robin-hood hashing can deliver lower, more predictable latency.
