Abstract Data Type

(ADT)
 ADT
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 A abstract data type (ADT) is a mathematical model for a

certain class of data structures that have similar behavior.
 An abstract data type is defined indirectly, only by the
operations that may be performed on it and by
mathematical constraints on the effects (and possibly cost) of
those operations.

MNMJEC, Chennai - 600 097 12 July 2018

 What is an Abstract Data Type?
• Abstract Data Type (ADT)
• Defines a particular data structure in terms of data and
operations
• Offers an interface of the objects (instances of an ADT)
• An ADT consists of
• Declaration of data
• Declaration of operations
• Encapsulation of data and operations : data is hidden from user
and can be manipulated only by means of operations

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 ADT
• The abstract datatype is special kind of datatype, whose behavior is
defined by a set of values and set of operations
• Some of ADT’s are
• List ADT
• Stack ADT
• Queue ADT