Comment by whimsicalism
3 years ago
I don't think understanding how a hash map, an incredibly simple data structure used frequently, is all that "low level." If I really wanted low level, I would talk about having linked lists of arrays rather than a linked list of nodes so that you could benefit from fewer random lookups.
I work as an ML engineer, so very high level.
Ok, perhaps for your job it is reasonable to know what I call the in-depth definition - implement hash map functionality in language interview is using without using built in hash map functionality of language, discuss trade-offs (or perhaps it is your particular interests that allows you to keep this information readily available) but I guess you can see how many people's jobs do not require this and it would be reasonable for job interviews in those fields to only want the shallow understanding - one line definition of hash map, when would you use it.
If you ask for the in-depth understanding for positions that would never need it, it follows that you will be disadvantaging many applicants who might be great for the position and advantaging applicants who know at least one non-relevant thing.