Chapter 2

Introduction to Data Structures

Data structures are specialized formats for organizing, processing, retrieving, and storing data. They provide a means to manage large amounts of data efficiently for uses such as large databases and internet indexing services. The selection of a particular data structure is crucial for the efficiency of an algorithm and the overall performance of a program. Data structures can be classified into primitive and non-primitive types. Primitive data structures include basic types like integers, floats, characters, and pointers. Non-primitive data structures are more complex and include arrays, lists, stacks, queues, trees, and graphs. Understanding the characteristics, advantages, and limitations of each data structure helps in selecting the right one for a specific application. This section introduces the concept, importance, and classification of data structures, laying the foundation for deeper exploration in subsequent sections.

• Data structures organize and store data efficiently.
• They are classified as primitive and non-primitive.
• Efficient data structures improve algorithm performance.
• Selection depends on application requirements.
• Primitive types include int, float, char, pointer.
• Non-primitive types include arrays, lists, stacks, queues, trees, and graphs.
• 📌 Data Structure: A way of organizing and storing data for efficient access and modification.
• 📌 Primitive Data Structure: Basic data types such as int, float, char, pointer.
• 📌 Non-Primitive Data Structure: More complex structures like arrays, lists, stacks, queues, trees, and graphs.

Arrays: Definition and Representation

An array is a collection of elements, all of the same data type, stored in contiguous memory locations. Arrays are used to store data in a structured way, making it easier to process large amounts of information. Each element in an array can be accessed using its index, with the first element typically at index 0. Arrays can be one-dimensional (linear) or multi-dimensional (such as two-dimensional matrices). The size of an array is fixed at the time of its declaration. Arrays are efficient for accessing elements but less flexible for insertion and deletion operations. The memory address of any element can be calculated using the base address and the size of each element.

• Arrays store multiple values of the same type.
• Elements are stored in contiguous memory locations.
• Access to elements is via index numbers.
• Array size is fixed upon declaration.
• Arrays can be one-dimensional or multi-dimensional.
• Efficient for accessing elements but less so for insertion/deletion.
• 📌 Array: A collection of elements of the same type stored in contiguous memory.
• 📌 Index: Position of an element in the array, starting from 0.
• 📌 Base Address: The memory address of the first element of the array.