Ebook: A Textbook of Data Structures and Algorithms, Volume 2: Mastering Nonlinear Data Structures

Data structures and algorithms is a fundamental course in Computer Science, which enables learners across any discipline to develop the much-needed foundation of efficient programming, leading to better problem solving in their respective disciplines. Most of the well-known text books/monographs on this subject have discussed the concepts in relation to a programming language – beginning with Pascal and spanning a spectrum of them such as C, C++, C#, Java, Python and so on, essentially calling for ample knowledge of the language, before one proceeds to try and understand the data structure. There does remain a justification in this. The implementation of data structures in the specific programming language need to be demonstrated or the algorithms pertaining to the data structures concerned need a convenient medium of presentation and when this is the case, why not a programming language? Again, while some authors have insisted on using their books for an advanced level course, there are some who insist on a working knowledge of the specific programming language as a prerequisite to using the book. However, in the case of a core course, as it is in most academic programs, it is not uncommon for a novice or a sophomore to be bewildered by the “miles of code” that demonstrate or explain a data structure, rendering the subject difficult to comprehend.