Load factor
How full a hash map is allowed to get (entries divided by buckets) before it grows.
Definition
When the number of entries divided by the number of buckets passes the load factor, the map allocates a bigger bucket array and moves every entry. Java's HashMap uses 0.75 by default. A lower load factor means fewer collisions but more memory. Because resizing doubles the size, inserts stay O(1) on average.
In practice
A Java HashMap with 16 buckets resizes to 32 when the 13th entry is added (16 × 0.75 = 12).
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Lessons that use this term.