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Lecture 01 Introduction to Data Structures and Algorithms

The course CS 250 Data Structures and Algorithms, taught by Prof. Dr. Faisal Shafait, focuses on intermediate-level programming and problem-solving techniques to develop efficient programs. It covers key topics such as algorithm analysis, data structures, sorting and searching algorithms, and graph search algorithms, emphasizing the importance of algorithms and data structures in various fields. Prerequisites include knowledge of C++ programming and high-school algebra, with resources available on the course website.

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ranahassanirfan2005
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3 views

Lecture 01 Introduction to Data Structures and Algorithms

The course CS 250 Data Structures and Algorithms, taught by Prof. Dr. Faisal Shafait, focuses on intermediate-level programming and problem-solving techniques to develop efficient programs. It covers key topics such as algorithm analysis, data structures, sorting and searching algorithms, and graph search algorithms, emphasizing the importance of algorithms and data structures in various fields. Prerequisites include knowledge of C++ programming and high-school algebra, with resources available on the course website.

Uploaded by

ranahassanirfan2005
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Introduction to Data Structures and Algorithms

CS 250 Data Structures and Algorithms


Prof. Dr. Faisal Shafait

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Introduction

Course overview

What is this course?


Intermediate-level course.
Concerns programming and problem solving techniques.
To develop efficient programs and applications.

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Introduction

Course overview

What is this course?


Intermediate-level course.
Concerns programming and problem solving techniques.
To develop efficient programs and applications.

Algorithm: method for solving a problem.


Data structure: method to store information.

“Algorithms + Data Structures = Programs.” — Niklaus Wirth

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Introduction

Course overview

In this course, we will explore:


Algorithms for efficiently solving problems.
Data structures for efficiently storing, accessing, and modifying
data.

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Introduction

Course overview

In this course, we will explore:


Algorithms for efficiently solving problems.
Data structures for efficiently storing, accessing, and modifying
data.

Every data structure will have trade-offs.


There is no ultimate data structure.
The choice depends on our requirements.

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Introduction

Why study algorithms

Where do you see the impact of data structures


and algorithms?

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Introduction

Why study algorithms

Important for all branches of computer science and electrical


engineering.
For example,
To determine the shortest route between multiple points
Define an efficient electricity supply (load-shedding) procedure
Establish cellular (mobile phone) communication network

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Introduction

Why study algorithms

All around us.


Computer Science. Search, packet routing, distributed file sharing,
video games, virtual reality, recommendations, news feeds,
advertisements, ...
Electrical Engineering. Circuit layout, communication systems,
network planning, power generation, power distribution, voting
machines, ...
...
Biology. Human genome project, protein folding, ...
Physics. N-body simulation, particle collision simulation, ...

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Introduction

Why study algorithms

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Introduction

Why study algorithms

Old roots, new opportunities.


Study of algorithms dates at least to Euclid around 300 BC.
Formalized by Church and Turing in 1930s.
Plays a key role in modern innovation.

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Introduction

Why study algorithms

They are challenging—a good brain activity.

“For me, great algorithms are the poetry of computation. Just like verse,
they can be terse, allusive, dense, and even mysterious. But once
unlocked, they cast a brilliant new light on some aspect of computing."
— Francis Sullivan

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Introduction

Why study data structures

To become a proficient programmer.

“I will, in fact, claim that the difference between a bad programmer and
a good one is whether he considers his code or his data structures
more important. Bad programmers worry about the code. Good
programmers worry about data structures and their relationships." —
Linus Torvalds (creator of Linux)

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Introduction

Why study data structures

Provide novel “lens" on processes outside computer science.


Quantum mechanics, economic markets, evolution, ...
Computational models are replacing math models in scientific inquiry.
They may unlock the secrets of life and of the universe.

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Introduction

Why study algorithms

Their impact is broad and far-reaching.


Old roots, new opportunities.
To solve problems that could not otherwise be addressed.
They may unlock the secrets of life and of the universe.
For intellectual stimulation.
To become a proficient programmer.
For fun and profit.

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Introduction

Course contents

What are the basic topics?


short review of C++.
gist of algorithm analysis.
key data structures.
elementary and classic algorithms for sorting and searching.
elementary graph search algorithms.
concepts about algorithm design.

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Introduction

Resources

All course-related material on the course web site,


http://lms.nust.edu.pk
This includes:
The course outline
Lecture material
Various tutorials
Projects
Labs
Assignments
Grading policy

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Introduction

Prerequisites

Prerequisites
Programming: loops, arrays, functions, objects, recursion.
C++: we use as expository language.
Mathematics: high-school algebra.
Useful reading material.
Quick: Introduction to Algorithms, 3/e (2009) by Cormen et al.
Data Structures and Algorithms in C++, 3/e (2005) by Adam
Drozdek.
The Algorithm Design Manual, 2/e (2008) by Steven S Skiena.
Programming environment: Visual Studio, gcc/g++ with Cygwin.

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Introduction

Question

What top ten companies do you think made big


money from data structures and algorithms?

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