Definition
In RAG architecture, a hash table is a high-speed data structure used for exact-match retrieval, deduplicating document chunks by mapping content hashes to unique IDs, and managing metadata associations. It provides O(1) lookup efficiency, serving as the backbone for caching and ensuring that identical source information is not processed multiple times.
Optimized for identity and exact value lookup, not semantic similarity or vector distance.
"A valet key rack where every specific key has a pre-assigned, numbered hook for instant retrieval without searching the whole lot."
- Deduplication(Component)
- Vector Index(Contrast)
- Semantic Cache(Related Application)
Conceptual Overview
In RAG architecture, a hash table is a high-speed data structure used for exact-match retrieval, deduplicating document chunks by mapping content hashes to unique IDs, and managing metadata associations. It provides O(1) lookup efficiency, serving as the backbone for caching and ensuring that identical source information is not processed multiple times.
Disambiguation
Optimized for identity and exact value lookup, not semantic similarity or vector distance.
Visual Analog
A valet key rack where every specific key has a pre-assigned, numbered hook for instant retrieval without searching the whole lot.