Hash-Tables

Foundations of Programming: Algorithms and Data Structures In programming, two ideas live at the heart of problem solving: algorithms describe how to solve a task, and data structures describe how to store and access information. Together they influence speed, memory use, and the reliability of software. Understanding algorithms An algorithm is a step-by-step plan to reach a goal. It helps you reason about what happens as input grows. For example, a linear search checks items one by one, with time growing in proportion to the list length. A binary search cuts the problem size in half each time, but it needs sorted data. When you compare options, you should consider time complexity (how the running time grows) and sometimes space complexity (how much memory is needed). Simple ideas often perform well in practice. ...

The Core of Computer Science Algorithms and Data Structures Algorithms and data structures sit at the heart of computer science. They turn ideas into fast, predictable software. A solid grasp of both helps you write code that works well as data grows and users come online from around the world. This article surveys the two sides and how they work together in daily programming. Data structures store and organize information. Each choice matters for speed and memory. Arrays are simple, offering quick access by position. Linked lists are easy to grow or shrink. Stacks and queues model processes that push and pull items in order. Trees give a hierarchical view of data, perfect for folders, categories, or search suggestions. Graphs connect items, from road maps to social networks. Hash tables give fast lookups by key and support sets and maps efficiently. Choosing the right structure helps operations like insert, delete, and look up stay fast. ...