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Data Structures and Algorithms

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Kamal Lamichhane
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29 views

Data Structures and Algorithms

Uploaded by

Kamal Lamichhane
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Data Structures and Algorithms

### Introduction to Data Structures

Data structures are ways of organizing and storing data in a computer so that it can be accessed

and modified efficiently. They are critical for designing efficient algorithms and optimizing software

performance.

### Types of Data Structures

1. **Primitive Data Structures**: These are the basic data types available in most programming

languages, such as integers, floats, characters, and pointers.

2. **Non-Primitive Data Structures**: These are more complex data structures that are derived from

primitive data structures. They include arrays, lists, stacks, queues, trees, and graphs.

### Arrays

An array is a collection of elements, each identified by an array index. Arrays are useful for storing

multiple values of the same type in a single data structure.

**Advantages**:

- Fast access to elements

- Simple to use
**Disadvantages**:

- Fixed size

- Inefficient insertions and deletions

### Linked Lists

A linked list is a linear data structure where each element is a separate object, called a node. Each

node contains data and a reference to the next node in the sequence.

**Types**:

- **Singly Linked List**: Each node points to the next node.

- **Doubly Linked List**: Each node points to both the next and the previous node.

- **Circular Linked List**: The last node points back to the first node.

**Advantages**:

- Dynamic size

- Efficient insertions and deletions

**Disadvantages**:

- Slower access time

- More memory usage due to additional pointers

### Stacks

A stack is a linear data structure that follows the Last In, First Out (LIFO) principle. It supports

operations like push (insertion) and pop (deletion).


**Applications**:

- Function call management

- Expression evaluation and syntax parsing

### Queues

A queue is a linear data structure that follows the First In, First Out (FIFO) principle. It supports

operations like enqueue (insertion) and dequeue (deletion).

**Applications**:

- Task scheduling

- Breadth-first search in graphs

### Trees

A tree is a hierarchical data structure consisting of nodes, with a single node as the root. Each node

has zero or more child nodes.

**Types**:

- **Binary Tree**: Each node has at most two children.

- **Binary Search Tree (BST)**: A binary tree with the left child having smaller value and right child

having larger value.

- **AVL Tree**: A self-balancing binary search tree.

**Applications**:
- Hierarchical data representation

- Database indexing

### Graphs

A graph is a collection of nodes (vertices) and edges connecting pairs of nodes. Graphs can be

directed or undirected.

**Types**:

- **Directed Graph**: Edges have a direction.

- **Undirected Graph**: Edges do not have a direction.

**Applications**:

- Social networks

- Network routing algorithms

### Introduction to Algorithms

Algorithms are step-by-step procedures for solving a problem or performing a task. The efficiency of

an algorithm is measured by its time and space complexity.

### Time and Space Complexity

**Time Complexity**: The amount of time taken by an algorithm to run as a function of the length of

the input.
**Space Complexity**: The amount of memory space required by an algorithm as a function of the

length of the input.

### Sorting Algorithms

1. **Bubble Sort**: A simple comparison-based algorithm that repeatedly steps through the list,

compares adjacent elements, and swaps them if they are in the wrong order.

2. **Quick Sort**: A divide-and-conquer algorithm that picks an element as a pivot and partitions the

array around the pivot.

3. **Merge Sort**: A divide-and-conquer algorithm that divides the array into halves, sorts them, and

merges them back together.

### Searching Algorithms

1. **Linear Search**: A simple algorithm that checks every element until the target element is found.

2. **Binary Search**: An efficient algorithm that works on sorted arrays by repeatedly dividing the

search interval in half.

### Conclusion

Understanding data structures and algorithms is crucial for designing efficient software. They

provide the necessary tools to manage data effectively and solve complex computational problems.

Mastery of these concepts is essential for any IT professional.

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