Differences between Hash table and Dictionary

Dictionary:

• It returns error if we try to find a key which does not exist.
• It is faster than a Hashtable because there is no boxing and unboxing.
• Only public static members are thread safe.
• Dictionary is a generic type which means we can use it with any data type.

Ex

Dictionary<string, int> dictionary  =  new Dictionary<string, int>();
dictionary.Add("cat", 2);
dictionary.Add("dog", 1);
dictionary.Add("llama", 0);
dictionary.Add("iguana", -1);

Hash table:

• It returns null if we try to find a key which does not exist.
• It is slower than dictionary because it requires boxing and unboxing.
• All the members in a Hashtable are thread safe,
• Hashtable is not a generic type,

Ex

Hashtable hashtable = new Hashtable();
hashtable.Add("Area", 1000);
hashtable.Add("Perimeter", 55);
hashtable.Add("Mortgage", 540);