Release .1
Introduction :
Imagine you are a librarian. You have a large collection of books, and you need to find a way to organize them so that you can easily find the ones you need. You could use a simple system, like alphabetical order by author. But what if you also wanted to be able to find books by title, or by subject?
This is where data structures come in.
Description :
A data structure is a way of organizing data so that it can be easily accessed and manipulated. There are many different data structures, but some common ones include arrays, linked lists, stacks, and queues.
Arrays are a good choice for storing data that needs to be accessed in a sequential order. For example, you could use an array to store the names of all the books in your library, in alphabetical order.
Linked lists are a good choice for storing data that needs to be accessed in a non-sequential order.
For example, you could use a linked list to store the books in your library by subject. This would allow you to quickly find all the books on a particular subject, even if they are not stored together in the library.
Stacks and queues are special types of data structures that are used to store data in a specific order. Stacks store data in a last-in, first-out (LIFO) order, meaning that the last item that was added to the stack is the first item that will be removed. Queues store data in a first-in, first-out (FIFO) order, meaning that the first item that was added to the queue is the first item that will be removed.
Once you have chosen a data structure, you need to decide on an algorithm.
An algorithm is a step-by-step procedure for solving a problem.
For example, you could use an algorithm to sort the books in your library by author.
There are many different algorithms, and the best algorithm to use will depend on the specific problem that you are trying to solve.
For example, if you need to sort a large number of books, you would probably want to use a different algorithm than if you only need to sort a small number of books.
Why are DS&A essential ?
Data structures and algorithms are essential for the functioning of computers. They are used to store, process, and retrieve data in a way that is efficient and effective. By understanding data structures and algorithms, you can become a more effective programmer and software developer.
Here are some other examples of how data structures and algorithms are used in the real world:
- Web browsers: Web browsers use data structures and algorithms to store and retrieve web pages.
- Operating systems: Operating systems use data structures and algorithms to manage memory, files, and processes.
- Databases: Databases use data structures and algorithms to store and retrieve data.
- Search engines: Search engines use data structures and algorithms to index websites and search for information.
These are just a few examples of how data structures and algorithms are used in the real world. They are essential for the functioning of many different systems and applications.
Now that you have the required knowledge for the introduction, we can begin learning the different data structures and algorithms precisely. This post is the first in a new series of 10 posts. I am making this series based on the book notes and course contents of different authors and coders, including:
- Data Structures and Algorithms Made Easy: Data Structure and Algorithmic Puzzles by Narasimha Karumanchi
- DSA Notes by ProgrammingWithHarry
- Data Structures through C by S.K. and Deepali Srivastava
- & more...
However, it is important to remember that this series is intended to be a summary guide. It will give you the basic concepts and ideas about the topic, but you will still need to work out different problems, read books, and take courses to gain a deeper understanding.
Providing the entire code with examples, problems, and topic notes on this platform would be like writing a book, so I will try to make things as precise as possible. I ask for your utmost coordination in this series so that we can all learn together.
Happy Coding 👍🏻!
Thank You
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