(definition)
Definition: The number of elements in a hash table divided by the number of slots. Usually written α (alpha).
Note: The higher the load factor, the slower the retrieval. With open addressing, the load factor cannot exceed 1. With chaining, the load factor often exceeds 1. After [CLR90, page 224].
Author: PEB
If you have suggestions, corrections, or comments, please get in touch with Paul E. Black.
Entry modified 17 December 2004.
HTML page formatted Fri Mar 25 16:20:34 2011.
Cite this as:
Paul E. Black, "load factor", in
Dictionary of Algorithms and Data
Structures [online], Paul E. Black, ed.,
U.S. National Institute of
Standards and Technology. 17 December 2004. (accessed TODAY)
Available from: http://www.nist.gov/dads/HTML/loadfactor.html
