I have a person datafile of many entries. Persons will be stored in a linked list and each of the person amongst other things will have a linked list of items belonging to them.

The object of the program is to use a quicksort algorithm to print out entries of persons based on some item that they have.

My question is, what/where could I use a hash table (chaining?) in my program. I need to incorporate it somewhere in this program and I am not exactly sure in which part should I use it and for what purpose. I know I am being a bit vague, so feel free to ask more questions.

Thanks!