Overview
Abstract Data Type (ADT) is a high-level description of a data structure that includes its operations but not its implementation details.
Abstract Data Type
Abstract Data Type is a specification of a set of data and the set of different operations that can be performed on an object or on the data.
It defines the behavior of a data structure and the operations that can be performed on it, without specifying how those operations are actually implemented.
The idea behind ADTs is to encapsulate the data and operations in such a way that the implementation details are hidden from the user.
ADT defines the following:
- Data
- Operations
- Behavior
Data
The data that the ADT can store. This could be a single data element or a collection of data elements.
Operations
The set of operations that can be performed on the data. These operations include creating, manipulating, and querying the data.
Behavior
How the data behaves and the rules that govern its manipulation. This includes constraints, invariants, and any guarantees about the data’s state.