If you're looking for the code for the Hashtable class, the source for the java classes is available as src.jar when you install the JDK. If you are looking for code to generate a hash code for a given input, you should read Effective Java: Programming Language Guide by Joshua Bloch ( link is to the Javaranch Bunkhouse, Advanced Java section ) Then again, I recommend reading the book anyway - 10 horseshoes isn't for nothing. [ June 16, 2002: Message edited by: David O'Meara ]