Last updated on April 8th, 2024 at 04:30 am
The fundamental units of programming in the field of computer science are data structures and algorithms. They are the foundation for software development and are crucial for producing successful and efficient applications.
A data structure in computer science is a framework for managing, organizing, and storing data that is often selected to allow quick data access. A data structure, or algebraic structure about data, is more specifically a collection of data values, the connections between them, and the functions or operations that may be performed on the data.
So what is data structure and algorithm, and how do they function in practice? This blog post will explore the impact of data structures and algorithms: 5 real-life examples.
These examples highlight how data structures and algorithms are used in real-world scenarios. Thus, whether you're an experienced coder or just getting started, be ready to explore the limitless opportunities made possible by these potent tools.
What are some real-world applications of data structures and algorithms?
Application 1: Sorting Algorithms in E-commerce
Sorting algorithms can sort items by price, name, or any other criteria you want to apply. For instance, if you're looking for something specific on Amazon and want it at the top of your results page, sorting algorithms will help you achieve this goal faster than manually searching through all pages.
A sorting algorithm is a technique for arranging many things in a certain order, such as alphabetically, from highest to lowest value, or from shortest to longest distance. Input lists of items are used as the basis for sorting algorithms, which then apply certain operations to those lists to produce sorted arrays as output.
Application 2: Graph Algorithms in Social Networks
Graphs are used to represent relationships between people or objects (nodes). Social networks like Facebook use graphs, and many other companies want to understand their users better by analyzing their online connections.
Due to the enormous quantity of data that social networks produce daily, graph algorithms that are particularly tailored to evaluate and extract information from these networks have been created.
Application 3: Hashing Algorithms in Cybersecurity
Hashing functions take an input value such as an email address or password and return a fixed-length output called hash value which represents only one possible input value. However, it cannot be reversed back into its original form without knowing its original input value beforehand because there are many possible outputs given any single input value.
Application 4: Navigation Systems
Large data sets, including many types of information, such as roads, highways, structures, and landmarks, make up maps. A navigation system must swiftly and effectively obtain and interpret pertinent information to navigate this sea of data.
Data structures and algorithms are helpful in this situation. Navigation systems can locate the optimum route, determine the trip duration, and even offer real-time traffic updates by efficiently structuring the data and employing optimized algorithms.
Google Maps, Waze, and Apple Maps are examples of navigational systems that use data structures and algorithms. To store and manage map data, these apps employ a range of data structures, including graphs, trees, and hash tables. For instance, Google Maps represents the road network as a graph, with each node being an intersection and each edge denoting a road segment. Google Maps can determine the quickest route between any two spots on the map by utilizing graph algorithms like Dijkstra's algorithm.
Application 5: Image and Video Processing
Image and video processing software may use these matrices to perform various interesting operations, including cropping, resizing, and adding filters. For instance, when you apply the "blur" filter to a picture, the program employs a particular algorithm that performs a mathematical operation on each pixel.
Adobe Photoshop, GIMP, and Adobe Premiere are examples of image and video editing applications that use data structures and algorithms. To store and handle picture and video data, these applications employ a range of data structures, including arrays and matrices. For instance, Adobe Photoshop employs a data structure known as a layer stack to enable users to add and edit various picture components independently.
Ending Note
This post has examined the best real-world uses of data structures and algorithms. We've seen how they may be useful for everything from image processing and navigational systems to financial analysis and healthcare. However, these are only a handful of the numerous available applications.
Data structures and algorithms will undoubtedly continue to play a crucial role in determining how we interact with the world around us as technology develops. Hence, it's important to take the time to comprehend the strength and potential of these amazing tools, whether you're a programmer, a data analyst, or someone interested in technology.
Your ability to create complete programs, including data structures and algorithms, will be enhanced by taking the Full Stack Developer Pro course from Imarticus Learning. This in-depth, 6-month curriculum will teach you both front-end and back-end programming, giving you the technical expertise needed for a fulfilling career as a full-stack web developer.
