Unit 4 Discussion Board

Data Structures

Almost all programs need data to operate, and the data must be stored somewhere. Data structures serve the purpose of storing data in a program in an organized way.

Based on your knowledge, experience, and ideas, discuss data structures (such as arrays or array lists) in the language of your choice. Answer 2-3 of the following questions in your report:

• How are data structures managed and organized in this language?
• How does the management or syntax of data structures in this language differ from how data structures are handled in other language?
• Give an example of how a data structure is used in this language, including declaration, setting values in the structure, and using values contained in the structure
• Does the language include a structure like ArrayList? If so, how does it differ from ArrayLists in other languages, such as C#?
• Does the language include a generic structure, meaning one which does not require the setting of a data type before it can store data? If not, does the language have any means by which variables can be stored without a data type?
• Are the data structures in this language strongly or weakly typed?
• Are there any significant general advantages or disadvantages to using data structures with this language?

When replying to other students, use these questions to expand their ideas, either by adding to what the other students discussed about a language, or by comparing their post with your own.