Data Structures and Algorithms (DSA) Basics

Study Notes

DSA stands for Data Structures and Algorithms.
DSA refers to the study of methods for organizing and storing data and the design of procedures (algorithms) for solving problems that operate on these data structures.
DSA is a crucial skill for computer science students, and those with good knowledge of DSA are often better programmers and more likely to pass tech giant interviews.

DSA is essential for designing efficient algorithms and optimizing software performance.

To learn DSA, break the process into 5 parts, starting with learning a programming language.
DSA consists of two interrelated parts: Data Structures and Algorithms.
It is recommended to learn Data Structures first and then the related Algorithms.

Data structures are essential components that help organize and store data efficiently in computer memory.
Data structures provide a way to manage and manipulate data effectively, enabling faster access, insertion, and deletion operations.
Common data structures include arrays, linked lists, stacks, queues, trees, and graphs, each serving specific purposes based on problem requirements.

Array:
- A linear data structure that stores a collection of elements of the same data type.
- Elements are allocated contiguous memory, allowing for constant-time access.
- Each element has a unique index number.
String:
- A sequence of characters, typically used to represent text.
- A data type that allows for the manipulation and processing of textual data in computer programs.
Linked Lists:
- A linear data structure that stores data in nodes, which are connected by pointers.
- Unlike arrays, linked lists are not stored in contiguous memory locations.
Matrix/Grid:
- A two-dimensional array of elements, arranged in rows and columns.
- Represented as a rectangular grid, with each element at the intersection of a row and column.
Stack:
- A linear data structure that follows a particular order in which the operations are performed.
- The order may be LIFO (Last In First Out) or FILO (First In Last Out).
Queue:
- A fundamental concept in computer science used for storing and managing data in a specific order.
- Follows the principle of “First in, First out” (FIFO), where the first element added to the queue is the first one to be removed.
Heap:
- A complete binary tree data structure that satisfies the heap property: for every node, the value...