What is one primary advantage of using hash distribution for large tables?

Using hash distribution for large tables is primarily advantageous because it enhances read performance by effectively distributing records across different nodes in a distributed database. This method ensures that data is evenly allocated based on a hash of specified columns, which minimizes data skew. When queries are executed, they can perform operations in parallel across those nodes, leading to faster data retrieval times. Such parallel processing is essential for handling large datasets efficiently, which is a critical consideration in data engineering.

When records are well-distributed, the chances of a single node becoming a bottleneck due to an imbalance in the load are reduced. This capability allows for more balanced resource usage and helps improve the overall query performance. Thus, hash distribution directly facilitates better performance in read operations, particularly in scenarios involving large datasets or complex queries.