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Introduction to Data Structures

 

Introduction

Definition and Importance
Data structures are specialized formats for organizing, processing, retrieving, and storing data. They define the relationship between data elements and the operations that can be performed on them. A solid grasp of data structures enables the design of efficient algorithms and effective use of system resources.

Abstract Data Types (ADTs)
ADTs provide a high-level description of data structures without specifying implementation details. Common ADTs include:

  • List: A collection of elements with a defined order.

  • Stack: A collection following Last-In-First-Out (LIFO) principle.

  • Queue: A collection following First-In-First-Out (FIFO) principle.

  • Tree: A hierarchical structure with a root and subtrees.

  • Graph: A collection of nodes (vertices) connected by edges.

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