Data Structures (AQA GCSE Computer Science): Revision Note

Data Structures

What is a data structure?

• A data structure is a way of organising and storing data in a computer

• There are many data structures in computer science and they are each used for various purposes, these include:

  • Arrays

  • Lists

  • Records

Where are data structures used?

• Data structures are used in almost every program ever created

• Arrays and lists are used in programs to store a collection of data under one identifier

• Records are used to store a collection of data about an object or person

• More information about each of these data structures is available in this programming section

Examples of real-world use

• 2D Arrays can act like a table to store information such as usernames and passwords

• A car showroom would have a database of their cars in stock and they would have a record for each car which would include information such as

  • Make

  • Model

  • Colour

  • Year it was made

• A search engine would make use of a data structure called a hash table to store keyword information

Example of a hash table data structure