Database and Arrays

Explain the relationship between databases and complete data structures and how they are

used.

"A database consists of an organized collection of data for one or more multiple uses" ((n.d.).

Retrieved from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Database). Basically, databases consist of containers

that store and collect data used for an application. The data can then be retrieved, updated, added

to or deleted by program users. "A data structure is a particular way of storing and organizing

data in a computer so that it can be used efficiently" ((n.d.). Retrieved from

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Data_structure). Data structures are used in almost every software

program, are essential to efficient algorithms, and make the management of huge amounts of

data possible.

A database then is for all intensive purposed useless without the data structure within the

software program that is accessing the database. Data structures fetch and store data within the

computers memory so the data can be used by the program. The data, once stored within the

computers memory, is be specified by an address -- a bit string that can be itself stored in

memory and manipulated by the program. To implement a data structure within a program, a set

procedures must be written that create and manipulate instances of that structure. Many high

level programming languages have special syntax for certain data structures, and most

programming languages have some kind of library that allows data structure implementations to

be reused in different programs.

Explain the design and application of arrays and how an array simplifies complex data

structures and program development. Support your answer with a hypothetical real-world

example.

An array is a data structure made up of a number of variables that all have the same data type

(Robertson, 2007). The use of arrays allow programmers to organize homogenous data (data

with of the same type and length) in to a single data structure. "Arrays are among the oldest and

most important data structures, and are used by almost every program and are used to implement

many other data structures, such as lists and strings" ((n.d.). Retrieved from "Array data structure

- Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia." Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. N.p., n.d. Web. 21 June

2010.) Array data structures are based on computing the addresses of data items with arithmetic

operations. Because an array is an internal data structure it is only needed for the life of the

program. Arrays are a convenient mechanism within a program to store and manipulate a set of

similar data.

An array simplifies complex data structures and program development by loading a set of

initial values in to the elements of an array, processing the elements of an array, searching an

array for a particular element, and writing the contents of an array to a report (Robertson, 2007).

Anytime a program keeps looping back to retrieve the same variables an array can be used to

store those variables ((n.d.). Retrieved from

http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/aa140074(office.10).aspx). The use of an array will reduce the amount of code needed for the program and will also create a more efficient program as