Computer Science · College

Data Structures Fundamentals

Arrays, linked lists, stacks, queues, trees, and hash tables with their core operations and typical use cases.

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What is an array?
A contiguous block of memory storing elements of the same type, accessed by index.
Time complexity to access element at index i in an array?
O(1) constant time, direct access by memory address.
Time complexity to insert at the beginning of an array?
O(n) linear time, requires shifting all existing elements.
What is a limitation of static arrays?
Fixed size that cannot be changed after creation without reallocating.
What is a linked list?
A collection of nodes where each node contains data and a reference to the next node.
Time complexity to access the nth element in a singly linked list?
O(n) linear time, must traverse from head node.
Time complexity to insert after a known node in a linked list?
O(1) constant time, only update references.
What is a node?
An element in a linked list containing data and one or more references to other nodes.
Difference between singly and doubly linked lists?
Singly has one reference per node (next only), doubly has two (next and previous).
Name one advantage of linked lists over arrays.
Efficient insertion and deletion at any known position (O(1)) without shifting.
What is a circular linked list?
A linked list where the last node points back to the first node.
What is a stack?
A linear data structure where insertion and deletion occur at the same end (top).
What does LIFO stand for?
Last In, First Out - the last element added is the first one removed.
The two primary operations on a stack?
Push (add to top) and pop (remove from top).
Time complexity of push and pop on a stack?
O(1) constant time, both modify only the top.

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