Abstract Data Structures Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Abstract Data Structures - Essay Example In fact, the majority of object-oriented programming languages encompass the characteristics of user defined abstract data types. For example in C++ this operation can be performed by using a class that has no protected/public data members (simply private), nor some techniques, nor friends that return references/pointers to some of the private fields (C2, 2008). This paper presents an overview of various abstract data structures that are used in computing. An Overview of Abstract Data Type The design of a computer program can be made much easier and simpler by making use of the abstract data structures. In this scenario, the program’ data and information can be arranged into  abstract data structures  (or simply ADS). For instance, we can use arrays (where an array is a set or sequence of consecutive memory locations that has the same name and same type) to form a table that has 3 columns and an undefined number of rows, in the scenario of an  array  with 2 dimensions: 1-a huge amount of rows, and 2three columns. In addition, a vital characteristic of contemporary computer programs is the capacity to operate abstract data structures with measures or techniques that are pre-defined by the software designer or programmer. However, for this purpose data structure should be used cautiously, with consideration, and in detail. (Schmalz, 2007). Sometimes the term ‘abstract data structure’ is used  in place of abstract data type. The basic idea here is that we are involved in the real structures to store data. In this scenario, the one most simple abstract data structure is the  Linked List. Basically, a linked list is described through the techniques that are applied on it, which includes  tail,  head, cons  and is-empty. In addition, a list based data structure is an ordered linear structure. In this scenario, its head is the initial element in line; list data structure tail is the list composed of all the elements besides the fi rst. The cons of an element of a list is the list data structure whose head is that element, as well as whose tail is the unique list. Moreover, a list can be empty; in that scenario it could generate an error if someone attempts to access its tail or head; however an element can be considered to it to have a new list (Huntbach, 1999). What is Abstraction? The fundamental idea of abstraction is that a data type should be described simply in the form of processes that are applicable on objects of its kind, not in scenario of how the category is applied on a real computer (for example, an array or a stack). In this scenario, the objects of a specific category are built and checked simply through processes calls that raise the access functions for that particular type. In addition, it allows the programmers to change the data type without making any change outside the module of code in which that type is defined. Moreover, a common instance of an abstract data structure is a stack. In this case functions can be performed to generate an empty stack, to drive values onto a stack, as well as to pop values from a stack (BookRags, Inc., 2012). Main Features and importance for Computing From the perspective of abstract data structures, an abstract class is a class that does not encompass an application for one or more techniques. In fact, the abstract data structures do not have any direction of what to perform in response of a call to the process that is abstract. In addition, in order to generate an object for the abstract class we need to generate a real subclass and create an object for it to access it (GeekInterview, 2007; BookRags, Inc., 2012; C2, 2008). Additionally, an abstract class