Data Structures & Algorithm by Joe Thuku

Introduction:

As a developer understanding data structure and algorithm is a key and important concept. As it comes in handy when you are developing your application. In this blog I’m going to be share ring the common data structure concepts. Please note that I will not be going into more technical details when explaining them. However in my next blog i'll try my best to dive into the common Data Structures such as: Binary Tree, linked lists, Arrays, Graphical theory, e.t.c.

Defination of the common concepts.

1. DATA

This is the representation of facts, concepts or instructions in a formalized manner

2. DATA OBJECT

Data Object refers to an object having a data.In other words, “data object” is an alternate way of saying “this group of data should be thought of as standalone.” . exmples of data objects are: data table, arrays, pointers e.t.c

3. DATA TYPE

Data type refers to the classification of data. Data can be classified in two types i.e:

BUILT-IN DATATYPE: This refers to those data type of which a language has inbuild support. Exmples are: integers, characters, float, Boolean.
Derived Data Type: This refers to those datatype which can be implemented in one way or another. They are normally built by the combination of primary or built-in data types and associated operations on them. Examples include: lists, array, stack and queue.

4. DATA STRUCTURE

Data structures, as the term implies, are a way of structuring data in order to efficiently store, find, use, and create data, depending on the task at hand. If data is a plate of food, data structures are our utensils (algorithms would be how to effectively use those utensils in this analogy). Just as you will likely select a spoon to eat a bowl of soup rather than a knife, we will learn over time to select and properly use data structures which fit the nature of the data that we are working with.

5. ALGORITHM

An algorithm is a set of instructions that instructs the computer what to do and how. this involves the computer taking an input performing the instructions this can be for examle some maths, and then provides some outputs based on the input.