Concept of Abstract Data Types
Data types:
A data type is the most basic and the most common
classification of data. It is this through which
the compiler gets to know the form or the type of information that will be used
throughout the code. So basically
data type is a type of information transmitted between the programmer and the compiler where the
programmer informs the compiler about what type of data is to be stored and also tells how much space it requires
in the memory. Some basic examples
are int, float, string etc.
Data Object:
A data object is
a region of storage that contains a value or group of values. Each Value can be accessed using its identifier
or a more complex expression that refers to the object. In addition, each object has a unique data type. The data type of an
object determines the
storage allocation for that object and the interpretation of the values during
subsequent access.
Data
structure: (D-Data,
A-Axioms, O-Operations)
Data structure is the structural representation of
logical relationships between elements of data. In other words a data structure
is a way of organizing data items by considering its relationship to each
other. Data structure mainly specifies the structured organization of data, by
providing accessing methods with correct degree of associativity. Data
structure affects the design of both the structural and functional aspects of a
program.
Algorithm + Data Structure = Program
Data
Structures=Organized Data+ Operations
We
can also define data structure as a mathematical of logical model of a
particular organization of data items. The representation of particular data
structure in the main memory of a computer is called as storage structure. The
storage structure representation in auxiliary memory is called as file
structure. It is defined as the way of storing and manipulation data in
organized form so that it can be used efficiently.
Data
structure mainly specifies the following four things
1. Organization of data
2. Accessing methods
3. Degree of associativity
4. Processing alternatives for information
Data Structure is a systematic way to organize data in order
to use it efficiently. Following terms are the foundation terms of a data
structure.
Interface
Each data structure has an interface. Interface represents
the set of operations that a data structure supports. An interface only
provides the list of supported operations, type of parameters they can accept
and return type of these operations.
Implementation
Implementation provides the internal representation of a
data structure. Implementation also provides the definition of the algorithms
used in the operations of the data structure.
Advantages
of data structures
- Promotes re-use of important functions on
data.
- Implementation is hidden from the user to
allow concentration on high level solutions of the problem at hand.
- Prepackaged data structures by third party vendors can be guaranteed
to be terribly efficient, probably the best solution for low
level data manipulation. The more optimized
libraries that we use in our software, the greater the potential exists for
faster, more powerful results with the minimum of coding.
- A standard set of functions provides a separation
from low-level implementation to the high level application, giving room for
enhancing/modifying the data structure functions to other methodologies if the
need be without touching the application code.