April 2026: MariaDB/server delivered a new SQL function suite enabling direct hashing for string data via XXH32() and XXH3() scalar functions. Key user benefits include enabling hash-based KEY partitioning and hash-based queries on long string columns with a simple SQL interface. What was delivered: - Implemented XXH32() and XXH3() scalar SQL functions for long string data types, with input validation to reject non-string arguments and preserved NULL handling. - Function registration and end-to-end tests via MTR to cover string literals, NULLs, collation-sensitive comparisons, illegal non-string arguments, and KEY partitioning distribution for supported string columns. - Robust error handling for invalid argument types using ER_ILLEGAL_PARAMETER_DATA_TYPE_FOR_OPERATION. - Comprehensive test coverage ensuring correctness across string and NULL edge cases and partitioning scenarios, aligned with existing hashing paths (charset-aware Hasher). Impact and business value: - Enables deterministic, server-side hashing for partitioning and filtering, simplifying data distribution decisions and improving query performance for large strings. - Improves developer ergonomics by providing a simple, SQL-based hashing interface consistent with existing hash-based partitioning features. - Strengthens test coverage and reliability for hashing-related functionality, reducing risk of regressions. Technologies/skills demonstrated: - MariaDB internals: scalar SQL function implementation, function registration, MTR-based validation, and hash path integration. - Error handling and data type validation, NULL semantics, and collation-aware comparisons. - Partitioning validation and end-to-end test coverage. Commit context: - Implementation and tests committed as 210ae62c5cbd93d3f32d5a8005d8eea2a52fadc4 with review by Yuchen Pei.