Thread: Hash tables - open adressing for collision resolution

No disrespect to the poster, but how come so many of the questions raised in these forums indicate that the "C" course being taught mixes algorithms / data structures and C-syntax issues leaving the student hopelessly confused as to which is which?

I mean, things like hashing or linked lists should be properly covered on a white board, or with nice animated illustrations, way before the student is sent out to code. Instead, the student is left to pull out their hair trying to resolve two different areas of knowledge at the same time.

Originally Posted by nonoob

No disrespect to the poster, but how come so many of the questions raised in these forums indicate that the "C" course being taught mixes algorithms / data structures and C-syntax issues leaving the student hopelessly confused as to which is which?

I mean, things like hashing or linked lists should be properly covered on a white board, or with nice animated illustrations, way before the student is sent out to code. Instead, the student is left to pull out their hair trying to resolve two different areas of knowledge at the same time.

You picked a weird thread to post this in, since I see no questions about C syntax here. (I think you're also making the assumption that "passed Programming I/II implies skill at programming", which is not always a valid assumption for various reasons.)

Originally Posted by iMalc

They typically are!
It's just that the students who come here asking about it are the ones who skipped class, didn't pay attention, aren't actually interested in programming, and didn't even want to be in the course to begin with.

That's not true... The fact that I ask means that I'm interested. And no, they weren't properly explained at school. I bought 3 books written by my proffesor about Data structures and algorithms, so that I could understand his way of solving this. At the Hash tables area I have only theory, not even one example. I don''t want to complain. I don't need the solving of my program. I was just asking for some help to understand what can be a hash function in my case. It's Easter holiday and I'm in trying to solve this. And you say that i'm not interested?