Running head: Complex data structures and modular design

Complex data structures and modular design

Blake Hutchings

University of Phoenix
 Complex data structures and modular design

Different kinds of data structures are suited for different types of applications. Data

structures are used in almost every program or software. In computer science, a data structure is

a particular way of storing and organizing data in a computer so that it can be used efficiently.

The implementation of a data structure usually requires writing a set of procedures that create

and manipulate instances of that structure. The efficiency of a data structure cannot be analyzed

separately from those operations. There are many different forms of data structures. In this paper

we will discuss a type of data structure called complex data structure. We will discuss its

purpose and also its relevance to modular design and arrays.

Arrays

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

(Wikipedia.com). Simple program design. A step by step approach, Fifth edition states that

“arrays are one of the most powerful programming tools available. They provide the

programmer with a way of organizing and collecting homogeneous data items (that is, items that

have the same type and same length) into a single structure. An array is made up of different

variables that all have the same type of data. There are many operations that will typically use

arrays. Simple program design. A step by step approach, Fifth edition, states that the most

typical operations that are performed on arrays are: loading a set of initial values into the

elements of an array, processing the elements if an array, searching an array, using a linear or

binary search for a particular element, and writing the contents of an array to a report. A good

example of a situation that the programmer could implement an array would be if one were
trying to calculate scores for an entire mathematics class of 30 students. If an array were used in

this situation, a single variable name such as scores can be used for all 30 exam scores.

Complex data structures

A Complex data structure is a structure containing two arrays, one holding the real part of

the complex data, and one holding the imaginary part. These arrays have to be the same size and

shape, although they may have any number of dimensions. Complex data structures and arrays

go hand and hand. In fact an array is another type of data structure. Complex data structures are

comprised of more than one array at a given time. If used correctly complex data structures and

arrays can be one of the most powerful tools that a programmer has at his or her disposal.

Complex data structures are a way of organizing huge amounts of information. A complex data

structure would be used if there are lots of mathematical data that needed to be calculated into

the code.

Modular design

Modular programming is a software design technique that increases the extent to which

software is composed from separate parts, called modules. (Wikipedia.com). When writing and

developing software, rarely does anyone completely write it in house. What most developers and

coders are doing now is using other libraries and frameworks that are written and developed by

other developers or programmers. This process and technique to writing software is called

Modular design. Modular design is a way to help bring the works of many people around the

world together so that a programmer can focus more on the source and body of the work. This

helps to cut down on development time as well as helps development cost since completely

creating and writing your own libraries and frameworks is not necessary. An example of a

situation that would warrant the use of modular design and programming would be is someone
was developing and application and needed an HTTP web server. Instead of writing their own

sever from scratch, they could easily use Apache or Tomcat.

Conclusion

The process of developing and designing software is a process that can be approached a

number of different ways. To be successful as a programmer one must fully understand all the

techniques and processes that are available at his or her disposal. Understanding that certain

parts and aspects of your program do not need to be written from scratch and can be used and

implemented from frameworks and libraries that have already been written can be a great time

saver if one were held down by deadlines and due dates. If someone were writing an application

that would need to have mass amounts of mathematical data input then the knowledge of arrays

and complex data structures would be indispensible. Gaining and acquiring all of this knowledge

would greatly increase your success as a program developer.

 References

Robertson, L. A (2007). Simple program design. A step by step approach, Fifth edition

Data structure. Retrieved July 6, 2009, from Wikipedia Web site:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Data_structure

Modular Programming. Retrieved July 6, 2009, from Wikipedia Web site:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Modular_programming

Sun Microsystems (2007). The Benefits of modular programming. Retrieved July 6, 2009, Web
site: http://usersguide.netbeans.org/files/documents/40/1315/rcp-book-ch2.pdf