What is a Data Structure?

Data structures are fundamental tools for organizing and managing data. They enable the implementation of advanced algorithms and provide a systematic way to store, access, and modify data.

Key Examples of Data Structures:

• Lists: Ordered collections of data.

• Dictionaries: Key-value mappings for fast lookups.

• Sets: Unordered collections of unique elements.

Defining Data Structures

At its core, a data structure is a collection of data values, the relationships between them, and the operations or functions that can be applied to the data.

In simple terms, a data structure:

1. Stores data: Provides a container for holding information.

2. Organizes data: Arrange data to allow efficient access and modification.

3. Supports operations: Offers algorithmic methods to interact with the data.