General

Question 1

What is the term for groups of similar data?

Answer 1

Compound Data

Question 2

What are the two types of Access principles for Data Structures?

Answer 2

1. Random Access

2. Sequential Access

Question 3

Define Random Access.

Answer 3

Where each element can be accessed directly and in constant time. E.g Accessing an element in an array. The other elements of the array do not play a role in the access function.

Question 4

Define Sequential Access.

Answer 4

Elements can only be accessed in a particular order. Each element is dependent on the others and may only be obtainable though those other elements. E.g. Accessing an element in a Tree structure. You must navigate through parent nodes in order to get to the desired element. This means most of the time access operations will NOT be instantaneous.

Question 5

Provide a real-life analogy of Random Access.

Answer 5

A book. Getting the information from a certain page doesn’t depend on all the other pages within that book.

Question 6

Provide a real-life analogy of Sequential Access.

Answer 6

A tape measure. To get to inch 72 you first have to go through inches 1 through 71 first.

Question 7

What is another name for Sequential Access Data Structures.

Answer 7

Limited Access Data Structures.

Question 8

What is the LIFO access principle? And give an example of a Data Structure that uses it.

Answer 8

Last In, First Out. Stack

Question 9

What is the FIFO access principle? And give an example of a Data Structure that uses it.

Answer 9

First In, First Out. Queue.