Data Structures
Data structures are ways to organize, store, and manage data in a computer system to optimize its use and efficiency. Common types include arrays, linked lists, stacks, queues, trees, graphs, and hash tables.
Choosing the right data structure is crucial for problem-solving in software development, as it directly impacts the performance of algorithms. For example, a hash table provides fast access to data using keys, while a binary search tree maintains sorted data for efficient lookups and insertions.
Data structures are fundamental in programming and form the backbone of database management, network routing, and computational tasks.