Data Structure Interview Questions and Answers

Introduction

Data structures are a fundamental concept in computer science and a crucial topic in technical interviews. They help in organizing and storing data efficiently, which is essential for creating optimized and effective algorithms. In this article, we will discuss some commonly asked data structure interview questions along with detailed answers to help you prepare for your next interview.

1. What is a Data Structure?

Question: What is a data structure, and why is it important?

Answer: A data structure is a way of organizing and storing data so that it can be accessed and modified efficiently. Data structures are essential because they provide a means to manage large amounts of data in a way that enables efficient processing, retrieval, and storage. They form the backbone of efficient algorithms and software applications, impacting their performance and scalability.

2. Explain the difference between an array and a linked list.

Question: Can you explain the differences between an array and a linked list?

Answer: Arrays and linked lists are both linear data structures, but they have key differences: