2. What is a data structure

A data structure is a collection of data items stored in memory, in addition a number of operations are provided by the software to manipulate that data structure.

A data structure means there is a relationship of some kind between the data items

Exactly what the relationships are determine what type of data structure is being used.

Typical operations on a data structure are:

ADD

INSERT

DELETE or REMOVE

FIRST

NEXT

LAST

LOCATE

The next few pages will describe some of the most common data structures used in computing