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Foundation terms of a data structure : Interface and Implementation
Understanding the
foundational terms of data structures is crucial for building a solid
understanding of the subject. Here are some key terms:
·
Data: Information that is organized and
manipulated using data structures.
·
Data Structure: A way of organizing and
storing data in a computer so that it can be accessed and manipulated
efficiently.
·
Element: An individual piece of data within a
data structure. For example, in an array, each value stored in the array is an
element.
·
Collection: A group of elements grouped
together as a single entity within a data structure.
·
Container: A data structure that holds a
collection of elements. Examples include arrays, lists, stacks, queues, trees,
and graphs.
·
Access Method: The technique used to retrieve
or access elements within a data structure. Common access methods include
indexing (e.g., arrays), traversal (e.g., linked lists), and searching (e.g.,
binary search trees).
·
Operations: Actions that can be performed on a
data structure, such as insertion, deletion, searching, sorting, and traversal.
·
Algorithm: A step-by-step procedure or set of
instructions used to solve a problem or perform an operation on a data
structure. Algorithms are essential for manipulating and managing data
efficiently.
·
Time Complexity: A measure of the amount of
time an algorithm takes to execute as a function of the size of the input data.
It helps in evaluating the efficiency of algorithms and data structures.
·
Space Complexity: A measure of the amount of
memory space an algorithm requires to execute as a function of the size of the
input data. It helps in evaluating the memory efficiency of algorithms and data
structures.