Data Structures and Algorithms

Welcome to this learning project about Data Structures and Algorithms!

Learning Project Summary

• Project code:
• Suggested Prerequisites:
  • Introduction to Programming
  • ...
• Time investment:
• Assessment suggestions:
• Portal:
  • Engineering and Technology
  • Computer Science
• School: Computer Science
• Department: Computer Programming
• Stream
• Level: U1

Content summary

This learning project introduces how to encapsulate and order data in a computer program along with efficient methods of accessing the data using appropriate algorithms. Examples and exercises are provided in Java, C and C++.

Goals

This learning project aims to cover the basic data structures used in software development, along with algorithms for inserting, sorting and accessing data. At the end of the learning project the student will be familiar with how to create and use the data structures covered and will have learned which situations are best for each, depending on the type of data to be stored and the running time (computational complexity) of algorithms for insertion, sorting and retrieval.

A secondary aim is to improve programming skills in the student's primary language and to introduce the APIs for existing data structures available in the student's chosen computer language.

Contents

Learning materials

Add learning materials here - see also the box below

Readings and other resources

Each project/lesson/activity may have a suggested reading selection, eg:

• Wikipedia article:
• Wikibooks textbook:
• etc.

Lessons

• Lesson 1: Introduction
• Lesson 2: Arrays, Lists and Vectors
• Lesson 3: Stacks and Queues
• Lesson 4: Trees and Graphs
• Lesson 5: Hash Tables
• Lesson 6: Sorting Data
• Lesson 7: Practical Use

Activities

• Caching data in arrays
• Creating linked lists
• Creating vectors
• ...

Assignments

Data structures and algorithms are vital elements in many computing applications. When programmers design and build applications, they need to model the application data. What this data consists of depends on the purpose and context of the application. However, it is generally a requirement for any application to insert, edit and query a data store. Data structures offer different ways to store data items, while the algorithms provide techniques for managing this data.

Tests and Quizzes

• Quiz 1
• Quiz 2
• Test 1
• etc...

See Also

• Topic: Data structures