Course overview
In this course, you’ll learn the fundamentals of data structures. You’ll explore linked lists and how using linked nodes is helpful in creating data structures. Then you’ll learn about queues, the FIFO data structure (first in, first out) , and the FCPS process scheduling algorithm (first come, first serve). From there, you’ll dig into stacks, LIFO (last in, first out), and LCFS process scheduling (last come, first serve) – and then dictionaries and parallel processing. By the end, you’ll understand the performance difference between data structures such as hash tables, stacks, queues, and more.
Best of all, you’ll learn by doing – you’ll practice and get feedback directly in the browser. You’ll apply this knowledge by completing two real-world data projects:
In the first one, you’ll use stacks when implementing complex algorithms
In the second one, you’ll analyze stock prices using hash tables and by implementing various algorithms
Key skills
- Implementing linked lists, queues, stacks and dictionaries
- Employing inheritance
- Applying data structures to solve problems
Course outline
Introduction to Data Structures [6 lessons]
Linked Lists 2h
Lesson Objectives- Employ linked nodes to create data structures
- Implement linked lists
- Identify the differences between array-based and link-based implementations
Queues 1h
Lesson Objectives- Define a queue data structure
- Define a FIFO data structure
- Identify how the FCFS process scheduling algorithm works
Stacks 1h
Lesson Objectives- Define a stack data structure
- Define a LIFO data structure
- Identify how the LCFS process scheduling algorithm works
Dictionaries 2h
Lesson Objectives- Determine which library to use when parallel computing
- Employ process pools
- Debug parallel processing code
Guided Project: Analyzing Stock Prices 1h
Lesson Objectives- Compute aggregates using hash tables
- Implement search algorithms
Guided Project: Evaluating Numerical Expressions 1h
Lesson Objectives- Implement complex algorithms using stacks
- Identify how a computer evaluates numerical expressions
Projects in this course
Analyzing Stock Prices
For this project, you’ll step into the role of a financial analyst to examine historical stock price data from the NASDAQ exchange. You’ll apply your Python skills to analyze trends and find the most profitable stocks.
Evaluating Numerical Expressions
For this project, you’ll become a software developer tasked with creating an algorithm to evaluate complex numerical expressions. You’ll apply concepts like stacks and infix/postfix notation in Python to enable evaluating expressions.
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