Chapter 8 Summary
Our exploration began with arrays, the simplest and most commonly used data structure. Arrays serve as the foundation for understanding more complex structures and many algorithms. They provide an efficient way to store and access data with their ability to access elements directly based on their indices, leading to O(1) access time. However, arrays do have limitations, including a fixed size once declared and inefficiency for operations like insertion and deletion.
We then moved onto linked lists, a dynamic and flexible data structure that can overcome some of the shortcomings of arrays. Linked lists excel in scenarios where the data size is unknown or the data needs to be frequently inserted or deleted. We explored various types of linked lists, including singly linked lists, doubly linked lists, and circular linked lists, each with their own unique features and suitable use cases.
Next, we ventured into the world of stacks and queues. These data structures are vital...