This content originally appeared on DEV Community and was authored by Pavitha P
🔹 Data Types — “What Kind of Data?”
Data types define what kind of data a variable can hold. They form the most basic units of any program.
Examples:
- int — whole numbers
- float — decimal numbers
- char — single characters 💡 Think of these as the building blocks of data.
🔹 Data Structures — “How Is Data Organized?”
Data structures define how data is arranged and stored in memory. They allow for efficient access and manipulation.
Examples:
- Arrays
- Linked Lists
- Trees 💡 These are the containers that hold and structure the building blocks.
🔹 Abstract Data Types (ADTs) — “What Can You Do With It?”
ADTs describe the behavior and operations that can be performed on data, without specifying how they’re implemented. They’re more about what you can do rather than how it’s done.
Examples:
- Stack (push(), pop())
- Queue (enqueue(), dequeue()) 💡 Think of ADTs as blueprints—they define expected behavior while leaving implementation details open.
✨ Wrap-Up
In short:
- Data Types 🧱 define the kind of data
- Data Structures 📦 organize the data
- ADTs 🛠️ define operations you can perform Together, these form the foundation of how we model, store, and manipulate information in programming. Have thoughts or questions? Let’s connect in the comments! 💬
This content originally appeared on DEV Community and was authored by Pavitha P
Pavitha P | Sciencx (2025-06-27T03:49:57+00:00) Data Types, Data Structures, and Abstract Data Types – What’s the Difference. Retrieved from https://www.scien.cx/2025/06/27/data-types-data-structures-and-abstract-data-types-whats-the-difference/
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