2. Don't hash large strings. In this situation a value of 128 bytes can be counted as large. Any strings above this can be stored in a simple GCObject** list. The hash value of the large strings (which may be needed if the string is to be inserted into a table) could just be a random 32 bit number. Given that eqstr assumes the same pointer for the same string a different operation would need to be defined is
Actually the right thing to do is have a 0 hash value for these strings and then when the string is actually used in a table by a Lua programmer hash the entire string to get its value. That way the security of the system is protected (because a randomized hash of the full string is used), but the performance is still good as the hashing is delayed until needed.
John.
