What is Data Structures ?
In computer science, a data structure is a way of organizing and storing data in a computer program so that it can be accessed and manipulated efficiently. Standard programming languages like Java, Python, and C++ provide built-in data structures that are commonly used in programming.
Why Data Structure is Important ?
Efficient storage and retrieval of data: Data structures provide a way to store data in an efficient manner, which allows for faster retrieval of data when needed. This is particularly important when working with large datasets or complex applications.
Improved program performance: The use of appropriate data structures can improve the performance of a program by reducing the amount of time and resources needed to perform common operations like searching, sorting, and updating data.
Code organization and readability: Using data structures can make code more organized and easier to read, which can make it easier to maintain and debug. This is because data structures provide a clear and logical way to organize data within a program.
Compatibility with standard libraries: Many standard programming libraries and frameworks rely on specific data structures, such as arrays or linked lists, to function properly. Therefore, understanding and using data structures is important for developers who want to make use of these libraries and frameworks.
Types of Data Structures :-
Linear Data Structure
Linear data structure is a type of data structure where data elements are arranged in a sequential manner. In other words, linear data structures are those in which data elements are arranged in a linear or sequential order, and each element has exactly one predecessor and one successor, except for the first and last elements.
Examples of linear data structures are array, stack, queue, linked list, etc.
Static data structure: Static data structure has a fixed memory size. It is easier to access the elements in a static data structure.
An example of static data structure is an array.
Dynamic data structure: In dynamic data structure, the size is not fixed. It can be randomly updated during the runtime which may be considered efficient concerning the memory (space) complexity of the code.
Examples of dynamic data structure are queue, stack, etc.
Non Linear Data Structure
Non-linear data structure is a data structure where each element in the structure is connected to two or more other elements in a way that does not form a simple, linear sequence. In other words, non-linear data structures do not have a linear progression from one element to the next, as in a linked list.
Examples of Non-Linear data structures are trees and graphs.