DSA Prelim Exam Reviewer

Vocabulary flashcards covering key Data Structures and Algorithms terms, definitions, and concepts based on the prelim exam reviewer.

Algorithm

A step-by-step procedure used to solve a problem.

Array

A collection of elements stored in an ordered sequence.

Linear Data Structure

A data structure where elements are arranged one after another.

Linked List

A collection or sequence of nodes connected using pointers.

Index

The position of an element in an array, which usually starts at 0.

Iteration

The repetition of instructions using a loop.

Non-Linear Data Structure

A data structure where elements are not arranged in a single sequence.

ADT (Abstract Data Type)

Describes the operations that can be performed on a data structure without specifying how they are implemented.

Elements

The individual items stored in a data structure.

Length

The number of elements in a data structure.

Data Structure

A way of organizing and storing data so it can be used efficiently.

Public / External

Data or operations that can be accessed from outside a class or structure.

Pointer Field

A part of a node that stores the address or reference of another node.

Head

The pointer that refers to the first node of a linked list.

Simple Variable

A variable that stores one value.

Recursion

A process where a function calls itself to solve a problem.

Private / Internal

Data or operations that can only be accessed inside a class or structure.

Data Field

The part of a node that stores the actual data.

Recursive

A function or process that calls itself.

Stack

A linear data structure that follows LIFO (Last In, First Out).

Push

A stack operation that adds an element.

Pop

A stack operation that removes an element.

Peek / Top

A stack operation to view the top element.

Doubly Linked List

A linked list where each node has two pointers: Previous pointer and Next pointer.

Binary Recursion

A recursive function that makes two recursive calls.

Predecessor

The element or node that comes before another element or node.

Nodes

The individual parts of a linked list that commonly contain a data field and a pointer field.