Data Vault Hashing on Databricks with XXHASH64

In a recent discussion, Databricks developers debated whether storing hash keys as int64 values could lead to performance gains. The conversation centered on the use of the xxhash64 algorithm, which is notably faster than MD5 for hash generation.

While xxhash64 offers advantages in speed and a potential performance boost for joins on numerical columns, the trade-off lies in the increased risk of hash collisions. The speaker, a data architect, explains that MD5's 128-bit hash value provides a much lower collision probability, making it a safer and more standardized choice for data vault systems. However, a binary data type could offer a middle ground, providing the performance benefits of numerical joins without the risk of collisions associated with int64. The final decision often depends on the specific tools and platforms in a given environment.

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