Advanced Placement Computer Science Principles exploring computational thinking and programming.
Data structures are special ways to organize and store data in a computer so it can be used efficiently. Common types include lists, arrays, and dictionaries (also called maps).
Different problems require different ways of organizing data. For example, a list is great for keeping track of your to-do items, while a dictionary helps you look up information quickly.
Abstraction lets you use data structures without worrying about the details of how they work. You focus on what you need to do, not how it’s done under the hood.
Think of a dictionary in a library: you look up a word (key) and find its meaning (value). Computers do the same thing with data structures!
Using a list to keep track of all your homework assignments.
Using a dictionary to quickly find a friend's phone number by their name.
Data structures help organize information, and abstraction hides unnecessary details so you can solve problems more easily.