Basics of data structures

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Data Structures: An Overview

Advantages of Data Structures:

1. Organising Data: Data structures provide a systematic way to organise data, making it easier to manage and access.

2. Efficient Data Retrieval: They facilitate efficient data retrieval and manipulation, which can improve the performance of applications.

3. Easy Data Access: Well-designed data structures allow for quick access to data, reducing the time and effort required to perform operations.

Disadvantages of Data Structures:

1. Complexity: Some data structures can be complex to implement and manage, requiring a deep understanding of their operations and limitations.

2. Overhead: Certain data structures may introduce additional overhead in terms of memory and processing, especially when not used appropriately.

Data Structures Diagram

Types of Data Structures:

Data structures are broadly categorised into two main types: linear and non-linear.

1. Linear Data Structures:

Definition: In linear data structures, data elements are arranged sequentially, one after another.

Types

Static Data Structures: These have a fixed size once allocated. For example, an array stores data in a sequential order, and the size cannot be changed after initialization.

Dynamic Data Structures: These allow for dynamic resizing according to requirements. Examples include:

Linked List: Consists of nodes where each node points to the next using pointers, allowing for dynamic size adjustments.

Stack: Follows the Last In, First Out (LIFO) principle, where elements are added and removed from the top.

Queue: Adheres to the First In, First Out (FIFO) principle, where elements are added at the rear and removed from the front.

Types of Data Structures Chart

2. Non-linear Data Structures:

Definition: In non-linear data structures, data elements are arranged in a hierarchical or interconnected manner rather than sequentially.

Types

Trees: A hierarchical structure with a root element and multiple child elements. Each node can have zero or more child nodes.

Graphs: Consists of nodes (vertices) connected by edges. Graphs can represent various relationships and are useful for modelling complex networks.