Data Structure

What Does Data Structure Mean?

Data structure refers to methods of organizing units of data within larger data sets. Achieving and maintaining specific data structures help improve data access and value. Data structures also help programmers implement various programming tasks.

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Techopedia Explains Data Structure

Looking at basic examples is an effective way to understand data structures. For example, a very basic example of a data structure is an array, in which multiple data bits are coordinated into a group sharing a common label. This helps programs call these data bits or perform other work on the data set as a whole. Another example of a data structure is a stack, which places data units in relative hierarchies, allowing code functions to work on the data in coordinated ways, such as pushing a new data unit into a stack, or popping a data unit from the top of a stack.

In a general sense, the data structure concept dovetails with that of virtual objects and virtual reality. As data is more elaborately arranged by developers and others, the data becomes more functional, allowing the emergence of a virtual reality. This is a core concept of many technological advances from the last few decades.

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Margaret Rouse

Margaret Rouse is an award-winning technical writer and teacher known for her ability to explain complex technical subjects to a non-technical, business audience. Over the past twenty years her explanations have appeared on TechTarget websites and she's been cited as an authority in articles by the New York Times, Time Magazine, USA Today, ZDNet, PC Magazine and Discovery Magazine.Margaret's idea of a fun day is helping IT and business professionals learn to speak each other’s highly specialized languages. If you have a suggestion for a new definition or how to improve a technical explanation, please email Margaret or contact her…