Data structures and algorithms are the building blocks of efficient software development. They help in organizing and managing data in a way that allows for quick and efficient access and modification. This section covers some fundamental data structures and algorithms that are widely used in programming.

Common Data Structures

Here are some of the most common data structures:

  • Arrays: A collection of elements stored in contiguous memory locations.
  • Linked Lists: A linear collection of data elements, each pointing to the next element by means of a pointer.
  • Stacks: A linear data structure that follows the Last In, First Out (LIFO) principle.
  • Queues: A linear data structure that follows the First In, First Out (FIFO) principle.
  • Trees: A hierarchical data structure consisting of nodes, each of which has a value and a list of children.
  • Graphs: A collection of nodes, called vertices, and the connections between them, called edges.

Stack Example

Common Algorithms

Algorithms are sets of instructions used to solve specific problems. Here are some common algorithms:

  • Sorting Algorithms: Used to arrange elements in a certain order. Examples include Bubble Sort, Merge Sort, and Quick Sort.
  • Searching Algorithms: Used to find a specific element in a data structure. Examples include Linear Search and Binary Search.
  • Graph Algorithms: Used to analyze and solve problems on graphs. Examples include Dijkstra's Algorithm and Breadth-First Search.

Merge Sort Example

Learn More

To learn more about data structures and algorithms, you can visit our Data Structures and Algorithms tutorial section.