The index for every struct field or slice element and
the number of fields for the struct is unncessary.
The hashing of Go values is unambiguous because every type (except maps)
encodes in a parsable manner. So long as we know the type information,
we could theoretically decode every value (except for maps).
At a high level:
* numbers are encoded as fixed-width records according to precision.
* strings (and AppendTo output) are encoded with a fixed-width length,
followed by the contents of the buffer.
* slices are prefixed by a fixed-width length, followed by the encoding
of each value. So long as we know the type of each element, we could
theoretically decode each element.
* arrays are encoded just like slices, but elide the length
since it is determined from the Go type.
* maps are encoded first with a byte indicating whether it is a cycle.
If a cycle, it is followed by a fixed-width index for the pointer,
otherwise followed by the SHA-256 hash of its contents. The encoding of maps
is not decodeable, but a SHA-256 hash is sufficient to avoid ambiguities.
* interfaces are encoded first with a byte indicating whether it is nil.
If not nil, it is followed by a fixed-width index for the type,
and then the encoding for the underlying value. Having the type be encoded
first ensures that the value could theoretically be decoded next.
* pointers are encoded first with a byte indicating whether it is
1) nil, 2) a cycle, or 3) newly seen. If a cycle, it is followed by
a fixed-width index for the pointer. If newly seen, it is followed by
the encoding for the pointed-at value.
Removing unnecessary details speeds up hashing:
name old time/op new time/op delta
Hash-8 76.0µs ± 1% 55.8µs ± 2% -26.62% (p=0.000 n=10+10)
HashMapAcyclic-8 61.9µs ± 0% 62.0µs ± 0% ~ (p=0.666 n=9+9)
TailcfgNode-8 10.2µs ± 1% 7.5µs ± 1% -26.90% (p=0.000 n=10+9)
HashArray-8 1.07µs ± 1% 0.70µs ± 1% -34.67% (p=0.000 n=10+9)
Signed-off-by: Joe Tsai <joetsai@digital-static.net>
Joe Tsai
9d0c86b6ec