Define 'hashing' in computer science.

The concept of hashing in computer science refers to the process of converting data into a fixed-size string of characters, which typically represents a numerical value. This process is achieved using a hash function, which takes input data (regardless of size) and outputs a value of a consistent, predefined size.

Hashing serves several important purposes, particularly in data structures like hash tables where it allows for efficient data retrieval. The hashed output can be used to quickly locate data within a structure, facilitating operations like insertion, deletion, and searching. Hashing is widely used in many applications, including data integrity verification, password storage, and cryptographic applications.

The other options describe different concepts that are not related to the core idea of hashing, which focuses solely on the transformation of data into a fixed-size representation. For example, organizing data in databases involves various methods like indexing, while sequential search techniques relate to how data is accessed rather than how it is transformed. Splitting data into multiple arrays does not align with the definition of hashing, as it pertains to data structuring rather than conversion to fixed-size strings.