Data Structures and Applications/BCS304 RNSIT VTU NOTES

Question

Data Structures and Applications/BCS304

Answer 1

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Model Question Paper-I with effect from 2023-24 (CBCS Scheme

Answer 2

A data structure is a way of organizing, managing, and storing data in a computer so that it can be used efficiently. Different types of data structures are suited to different kinds of applications, and some are highly specialized to specific tasks. They help in performing operations like accessing, modifying, and managing data more effectively.

Common Types of Data Structures:

1. Array: A collection of elements identified by index or key. Arrays have a fixed size.
2. Linked List: A sequence of nodes, where each node contains data and a reference to the next node.
3. Stack: Follows a Last In, First Out (LIFO) principle. Think of it like a stack of books; you add and remove books from the top.
4. Queue: Follows a First In, First Out (FIFO) principle. Imagine standing in a line where the first person to enter the line is the first to be served.
5. Tree: A hierarchical structure consisting of nodes, with a root node and children nodes forming branches. Examples include binary trees and binary search trees.
6. Graph: Consists of a set of vertices (nodes) and edges (connections between nodes). Graphs can be directed or undirected.
7. Hash Table: Uses a hash function to map keys to values for efficient lookup.

Why Are Data Structures Important?

• Efficiency: They help in organizing data so that operations like searching, sorting, and accessing can be done faster.
• Memory Management: Efficient use of memory, especially in large data sets.
• Reusability: Data structures allow programmers to reuse code, making complex tasks simpler to implement.

In programming, choosing the right data structure can greatly enhance the performance and scalability of a program.