Introduction to Data Structures

A data structure is a very important concept in computer science and programming. It is used to store and manage data in an organized way in a computer. The efficiency of a program or algorithm depends on how the data is structured. A data structure allows us to store, process, and use data efficiently to solve various problems.

A data structure is a process of storing data in a specific format or structure so that it can be used effectively. It is a special framework that helps us to save data in an organized way and access it easily. The main purpose of a data structure is to implement algorithms better and to make data operations easier.

Data structures are needed because computers have to process large amounts of data quickly. If data is not stored in a proper and organized way, processing time will increase, and memory will not be used correctly. Therefore, data structures are used to increase the functionality and speed of a program.

Data structures can be mainly divided into two parts:

1. Primitive Data Structure: The most basic type, where data is stored directly. Examples: Integer, Float, Character, Boolean.

2. Non-Primitive Data Structure: More complex and organized types. These are further divided into: