A data structure is a way of organizing and storing data in a computer system to efficiently perform operations on that data. It provides a systematic way
... [Show More] of representing, manipulating, and accessing data elements. Data structures can be classified into various types based on their organization and behavior.
Commonly used data structures include:
1. Arrays: An array is a collection of elements of the same type arranged in contiguous memory locations. It allows efficient access to elements using indices.
2. Linked Lists: A linked list is a linear data structure where elements are stored in separate nodes. Each node contains a data element and a reference to the next node, forming a chain-like structure.
3. Stacks: A stack is a Last-In-First-Out (LIFO) data structure where elements are added and removed from the same end called the top. It follows the principle of "last in, first out."
4. Queues: A queue is a First-In-First-Out (FIFO) data structure where elements are added at one end called the rear and removed from the other end called the front. It follows the principle of "first in, first out."
5. Trees: A tree is a hierarchical data structure composed of nodes. It has a root node and zero or more child nodes, each of which can have its own child nodes. Trees are widely used in various algorithms and data storage systems.
6. Graphs: A graph is a collection of nodes connected by edges. It is a versatile data structure used to represent relationships between objects. Graphs can be directed or undirected, and they find applications in areas like network modeling and social network analysis.
7. Hash Tables: A hash table, also known as a hash map, is a data structure that maps keys to values using a hash function. It allows efficient insertion, deletion, and retrieval of elements based on their keys.
These are just a few examples of data structures, and there are many more specialized data structures designed to solve specific problems efficiently. The choice of data structure depends on the requirements of the problem at hand and the operations that need to be performed on the data. [Show Less]