[r6rs-discuss] Hash function return value constraints

[leppie]

Hi

The R6RS states:

*"Hash-function* should accept a key as an argument and should return a
non-negative exact integer object."

This only the only place that mentions a non-negative integer.

What is the rationale for making the hash value non-negative?

By constraining the output, you are limiting the usage of fixnums and might
have to resort to big nums.

Cheers

leppie

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