Introduction:
Data structures are the backbone of computer programming. They allow us to organize and manipulate data efficiently, which is essential for solving complex problems. In C++, a versatile and widely-used programming language, understanding the classification of data structures is crucial. In this comprehensive guide, we will explore the various categories of data structures in C++ to help you choose the right one for your programming needs.
The data structures can be classified into primitive and non-primitive further into linear and non-linear data types:
1️⃣ Primitive data types (fundamental data types):
- These data types serves as the basic building blocks for representing simple values in programming languages like C++. These data types are directly supported by the programming language and provides a means to store and manipulate data efficiently. They represent single values and have a fixed size in memory.
- Examples of primitive data types in C++ include integers (
int
), floating-point numbers (float
anddouble
), character (char
), Boolean values (bool
), and pointers. - These data types are simple and do not have any internal structure or organization beyond their individual values. These are used to store single pieces of data rather than collections or complex structures.
2️⃣Non-primitive Data Structures:
- Non-primitive data structures are more complex data structures that are composed of multiple primitive or non-primitive data types. They are implement using primitive data types and can represent collections of data or complex relationships between elememts.
- Examples of non-primitive data structures in C++ include arrays, linked lists, trees, graphs, hash tables, and stacks.
- These data structures allow for the organization, manipulation, and storage of data in a structured and efficient manner. They often provide operations for accessing, inserting, deleting, and searching for elements within the structure.