ELI5: Explain Like I'm 5

Hash collision

Okay kiddo, let me explain what a hash collision is. Imagine you have a toy box with many toys in it. To easily find a specific toy, you label each toy with a unique number. This is what we call a "hash code".

Now, let's say you have two toys labeled with the same number. This means that they have the same hash code. This is what we call a "hash collision". It's like having two toys that look the same and have the same name. It can be confusing to find the right toy when you need it.

This can happen when you are using hash functions in your computer. These functions are used to quickly find information in large databases. However, if two different pieces of information have the same hash code, it can cause problems when trying to find the right information.

That's why it's important to have a good hash function that minimizes the chance of hash collisions. It's like having toys with unique names and labels that make it easy to find exactly what you're looking for.