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Learn about data structures, their importance, and practical applications. Understand common implementations and how to use them in programming. Get a solid grasp of data organization techniques.
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CS211Data Structures Sami Rollins srollins@mtholyoke.edu Spring 2005
Introduction • What is a data structure? • Why do we need data structures? • What should you know about data structures?
Administrative Information • Course Website • Syllabus • Academic Dishonesty • Tentative Calendar http://www.mtholyoke.edu/courses/srollins/cs211/
Assignments • Reading – Chapter 1 • Homework 0 – due Monday
Data Structures • What is a data structure?
Data Structures • What is a data structure? • “a scheme for organizing related pieces of information.“ -http://www.webopedia.com/TERM/D/data_structure.html • Example “pieces of information”… • Typically describes the operations which can be performed on the data and/or how data are organized to support those operations • An example data structure from CS 101…
Arrays • Primitive data structure • What are the operations supported by an array?
Arrays • Primitive data structure • What are the operations supported by an array? • Insert data item (location) • Access data item (location) • When would you choose to use an array? • Would you ever need different functionality?
Common Data Structures • Stacks – Last In First Out (LIFO) • Insert on top • Remove top element • Queues – First In First Out (FIFO) • Insert at end • Remove from beginning • Trees - Hierarchy • Root • Parent • Children
In this course… • You will learn • Data structures and their operations • Common implementations of data structures • How to use data structures in a program
C Programming Review • What is an algorithm? • What is a variable? How do you declare a variable? • What is a function? • What is an if statement? When would you use one? • What is a loop? What are the different types of loops? When would you use each type? • What is a pointer? • What is an array? • What is a structure?