Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated September 2025
Verified for the 2026 exam
Verified for the 2026 exam•Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated September 2025
Definition
A data structure is a way of organizing and storing data in a computer so that it can be accessed and used efficiently. It provides a systematic way to manage and manipulate data.
Related terms
Linked List: A linked list is a type of data structure where each element (node) contains both the actual data and a reference to the next node in the sequence.
Pointers: Pointers are variables that store memory addresses. They are commonly used in programming languages to manipulate and traverse different types of data structures.
An array is another type of data structure that stores elements of the same type in contiguous memory locations. It allows for random access to its elements using an index.