Data Structure
The short answer · 19 words
In short
A data structure organizes data in such a way that certain access and change operations can be executed efficiently.
Flow-alerta.cab (2026): Data Structure. https://flow-alerta.cab/en/glossar/data-structure. Editorially reviewed on: 10 October 2026.
How much detail would you like?
Practical
The choice of data structure influences the speed, storage requirements, maintainability and scalability of software and automation.
A hash table allows quick access via customer numbers; a queue processes incoming orders in a defined order.
In standard applications, the structures of the programming language or database are usually sufficient. Own optimization is only worthwhile after measuring a concrete bottleneck.
At a glance
- Core
- A data structure is the concrete organization and storage of related information, for example as an array, list, stack, queue, hash table or tree. Their characteristics determine effort, order and possible operations.
- Use
- The choice of data structure influences the speed, storage requirements, maintainability and scalability of software and automation.
- Example
- A hash table allows quick access via customer numbers; a queue processes incoming orders in a defined order.
- Limits
- Confuse data structure with abstract data type or data model. An abstract data type describes behavior regardless of implementation; a data model describes data and relationships conceptually.
In context
Questions about this term
Which structure is the best?
This depends on access, change, order and amount of data.
Is a table a data structure?
Depending on the context, yes.
What is the difference to the data type?
The data type describes values and operations, the structure of their concrete organization.
All details and background
A data structure is the concrete organization and storage of related information, for example as an array, list, stack, queue, hash table or tree. Their characteristics determine effort, order and possible operations.
ELI5 – Explained simply
It is like a suitable ordering system: drawers, stacks or registers make different types of search and classification easier.
Why it matters in practice
The choice of data structure influences the speed, storage requirements, maintainability and scalability of software and automation.
Example
A hash table allows quick access via customer numbers; a queue processes incoming orders in a defined order.
Pitfalls and limits
- Confuse data structure with abstract data type or data model. An abstract data type describes behavior regardless of implementation; a data model describes data and relationships conceptually.
Origin & history
Data structures are among the fundamentals of computer science and are closely linked to algorithms. Many structures have been developed for specific search, insertion or sorting requirements.
Use in mid-sized companies
- In standard applications, the structures of the programming language or database are usually sufficient. Own optimization is only worthwhile after measuring a concrete bottleneck.
Related terms
- Abstract data type
- Allocation algorithm
- Array
- Hash table
- Tree structure
Matching Flow-alerta service
AI assistants & automationSoftware and automation consulting: Designing data flows and technical structures to match maintainability, performance and scaling.Matching tool / use case
View use casesPython dictionary or database index; use case: enable fast, unambiguous access to operations via a key ID.Sources
- xlinux.nist.govNIST Dictionary of Algorithms and Data Structures, „data structure“ (Abruf 06.10.2026)
Quellenprüfung: 10.10.2026. Definition und dokumentierte Einordnung abgeglichen; Beispiele beschreiben mögliche Anwendungen.
Editorially reviewed on: