How to implement a hash table with Klib in C?

Copy khash.h to your project, use KHASH_MAP_INIT_INT to instantiate for integer keys, then call functions like kh_init, kh_put, and kh_get. The README provides a complete example with code snippets.

Klib vs Glib: which should I use?

Klib excels in performance and memory efficiency due to macro-based generics, often outperforming Glib in benchmarks. However, Glib offers more features and better documentation, so choose based on speed vs. convenience.

Is Klib good for embedded programming?

Yes, its lightweight, standalone design with minimal dependencies makes it ideal for embedded systems with strict memory limits. You can include only components like kvec.h or khash.h as needed.

Can I use Klib with C++ projects?

Klib is written in C and can be included in C++, but it's optimized for C. The macro approach may conflict with C++ templates, so it's best suited for pure C contexts or when mixing carefully.

What are the alternatives to Klib for generic data structures in C?

Alternatives include Glib for a more comprehensive library, or specialized ones like uthash for hash tables. Klib stands out for performance but requires comfort with macro programming.

Klib

MITC

A standalone, lightweight C library providing highly efficient generic data structures and algorithms with minimal dependencies.

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What is Klib?

Klib is a standalone, lightweight C library that provides a suite of generic data structures and algorithms, such as hash tables, B-trees, dynamic arrays, and sorting routines. It solves the problem of needing efficient, dependency-free containers and utilities in C projects, offering performance that often rivals or exceeds type-specific implementations.

Target Audience

C developers working on performance-critical systems, embedded software, or applications requiring portable, low-overhead data structures without external library dependencies.

Value Proposition

Developers choose Klib for its exceptional speed and memory efficiency, achieved through macro-based generic programming that avoids the overhead of void* pointers. Its standalone, copy-paste component design eliminates dependency management headaches.

Overview

A standalone and lightweight C library

Use Cases

Best For

Implementing high-performance hash tables or B-trees in C projects
Adding generic containers to embedded systems with strict memory constraints

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Parsing FASTA/FASTQ files in bioinformatics applications

Building custom sorting algorithms with minimal overhead

Developing portable C libraries without external dependencies

Optimizing data structure performance in performance-critical software

Not Ideal For

Projects where code readability and maintainability are higher priorities than raw performance
Teams relying heavily on interactive debugging with source-level tools, as macros obscure line numbers
Applications requiring a broad ecosystem of high-level abstractions or GUI components beyond core data structures

Pros & Cons

Pros

Macro-Based Performance

Uses C macros for type-safe generic programming, avoiding void* overhead and achieving speed comparable to type-specific code, as benchmarked against libraries like Glib.

Standalone Portability

Components are independent; users can copy only necessary files (e.g., khash.h) without external dependencies, enhancing cross-platform compatibility and reducing setup complexity.

Lightweight Memory Footprint

Designed for minimal memory usage, with components like kvec.h and khash.h optimized for efficiency, making it suitable for embedded systems or resource-constrained environments.

Specialized Algorithm Suite

Includes niche utilities such as FASTA/FASTQ parsing with kseq.h and suffix array construction with ksa.c, catering to domains like bioinformatics without extra libraries.

Cons

Macro-Induced Code Ugliness

Heavy reliance on macros makes source code unusual and hard to debug, as admitted in the methodology section, which can hinder maintenance and onboarding.

Sparse Documentation

Documentation is primarily embedded in header files with examples in test directories, lacking comprehensive guides or tutorials for newcomers.

Limited Feature Set

Focuses on core data structures and algorithms; missing higher-level conveniences like automatic memory management or error handling found in larger libraries.

Open Source Alternative To

Klib is an open-source alternative to the following products:

GLib

GLib is a low-level core library for C that provides data structure handling, portability wrappers, and interfaces for such as the main event loop, threads, dynamic loading, and an object system.

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