What are Some of the Common Data Structures?

Common data structures are essential methods for organizing and storing data efficiently. According to foundational principles, arrays, linked lists, stacks, queues, hash tables, trees, heaps, and graphs are recognized as some of the basic and most common data structures used in computer science.

Understanding Data Structures

A data structure is fundamentally a method to store and organize data so it can be easily used to perform operations to get desired results. Choosing the right data structure is crucial for designing efficient algorithms and managing data effectively in various applications.

Key Common Data Structures

Here's a look at some of the commonly encountered data structures:

• Arrays: A collection of elements of the same type stored in contiguous memory locations. Elements are accessed using an index.
• Linked Lists: A sequence of nodes where each node contains data and a reference (or link) to the next node in the sequence. Unlike arrays, elements are not stored in contiguous memory.
• Stacks: A linear data structure that follows the Last-In, First-Out (LIFO) principle. Operations include push (add an element) and pop (remove the most recently added element).
• Queues: A linear data structure that follows the First-In, First-Out (FIFO) principle. Operations include enqueue (add an element to the rear) and dequeue (remove an element from the front).
• Hash Tables: Also known as hash maps, they store data in key-value pairs. They use a hash function to compute an index into an array of buckets or slots, from which the desired value can be found.
• Trees: A hierarchical data structure consisting of nodes connected by edges. Trees have a root node, and child nodes branch off from parent nodes. Common types include binary trees, AVL trees, and B-trees.
• Heaps: A specialized tree-based data structure that satisfies the heap property. In a max heap, for any given node C, if P is a parent node of C, then the value of P is greater than or equal to the value of C. In a min heap, the value of P is less than or equal to the value of C. They are often used to implement priority queues.
• Graphs: A collection of nodes (or vertices) and edges that connect them. Graphs can represent complex relationships, such as social networks, road maps, or dependencies between tasks.

These basic data structures form the building blocks for organizing information and performing operations efficiently across many programming tasks and software systems.