Data structures are fundamental tools in computer science that allow efficient storage and access to data. They are used to organize and manage data in a way that supports various operations like searching, sorting, and inserting.

Types of 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, forming a chain.
  • Stacks: A Last-In-First-Out (LIFO) data structure.
  • Queues: A First-In-First-Out (FIFO) data structure.
  • Trees: A hierarchical structure consisting of nodes.
  • Graphs: A collection of nodes (vertices) and edges connecting these nodes.

Why Use Data Structures?

  • Efficiency: Data structures can optimize the performance of algorithms.
  • Data Organization: They help in organizing data in a structured manner.
  • Scalability: They allow for handling large amounts of data efficiently.

Image: Array Representation

Array Representation

Expand Your Knowledge

For more information on data structures, you can explore our Introduction to Algorithms page.