Data Structures & Algorithms

CS 355 8.19.26 Class Review

What is a data structure?

A way of organizing and storing data so that operations can be performed efficiently.

What is an algorithm?

A step-by-step method used to solve a computational problem.

How are data structures and algorithms related?

Data structures organize the data, while algorithms perform operations on that data.

Why does the choice of data structure matter?

Different data structures can make the same operation more or less efficient.

What is the difference between an array and a linked list when accessing the first item?

An array accesses the first item using an index such as array[0], while a linked list accesses it’s first item through the head.

What is the general relationship between data structures and algorithms?

The data structure determines how data is organized, and the algorithm determines how the data is processed.