Linear Data Structures

Linear Data Structures

1. Lists

   • ordered
     • to access an element, use the name of the list, followed by the index of the element inside square brackets
   • changeable
     • add an element using .append()
     • remove an element using .remove(), or, .pop() to remove the element at an index
   • allow duplicates
   • elements can have different data types
   • denoted [...,...,...]

2. Tuples

   • ordered
     • to access an element, use the name of the tuple, followed by the index of the element inside square brackets
       • access the last element by putting -1 inside the brackets
       • access a range of elements by using a colon
   • unchangeable
   • allow duplicates
   • elements can have different data types
   • denoted (...,...,...)
     • must include a comma inside parentheses to specify a tuple

3. Sets

   • unordered
     • loop through sets to see items
     • can check to see if an element exists in a set
   • changeable
     • add an element using .add()
     • merge 2 sets using .update()
   • reject duplicates
   • elements can have different data types
   • denoted {...,...,...}

4. Dictionaries

   • denoted {key1:value1,...,...}
     • stores data in key:value format
   • powerful way to describe items
   • add a new key value: dictionaryName["key"] = "value"
   • unordered
     • retrieve a value: dictionaryName["key"]