Frank's Notes

Slides used in class are stored under Frank's Data Structure Slides.

The textbook's companion site has data files from the textbook for students to download.

For the first couple weeks, we will focus on C++ review and build a better C++ foundation. What is that? Here is a list of essentials (I think).

• 1. ability to identify proper object, do a good class design, write correct implementations

  2. master the IDE tools, especially the debugging capability

  3. file, string, pointers, arrays, vectors

But, a few fundamental questions:

• 1. What is data structure?

     • what's the difference between data storage and data structure?

     • philosophically, what's the difference my garage and store warehouse?

  2. What is the purpose of data structures?

     • search speed

     • add/delete speed

     • sorted vs unsorted

  3. Why do we want to learn it?

     • different data structure has different characteristics

     • make the right choice