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Re: Algorithms, Datastructures and syntaxby mojotoad (Monsignor) |
on Apr 04, 2003 at 22:35 UTC ( [id://248206]=note: print w/replies, xml ) | Need Help?? |
Another way to look at it sometimes is this: in order to populate a data structure, you will have had to perform some algorithmic work in order to do so. Usually this pre-organization of the data will facillitate future data manipulation, making certain tasks easier or more efficient. In this sense, data structures can be seen as devices (such as a battery or reservoir) that store a certain amount of work -- once the work is done, you can reap the benefits time and time again in the future.
You see this also as a trade-off between time and space, such as with the Schwartzian Transform. The real world is full of analogies (or vice versa) once you think of it in terms of work -- pulleys, levers, catalysts, etc. The task and physical circumstances ultimately define the approach towards a solution. Matt
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