What are some examples of dynamic structures in programming?

What are some examples of dynamic structures in programming?

Dynamic structures are data structures that can grow and shrink in size during runtime. Examples include linked lists, dynamic arrays, and hash tables.

Can you explain how a linked list works?

Sure! A linked list consists of nodes, where each node contains data and a reference to the next node. This allows for efficient insertion and deletion.

What are the advantages of using dynamic arrays over static arrays?

Dynamic arrays can resize themselves as needed, allowing for more flexibility in memory usage compared to static arrays, which have a fixed size.

Are there any downsides to using dynamic structures?

Yes, dynamic structures can have overhead due to memory allocation and deallocation, which may lead to fragmentation and slower access times.

How do hash tables handle collisions?

Hash tables handle collisions using methods like chaining, where each bucket contains a list of entries, or open addressing, where it finds the next available slot.