sandbox/adsep/chapter01/notes.md

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# Fundamental Data Structures
+ information to be processed: *abstraction* of some part of the real
world
+ computer has a selected set of *data* about the real world
+ this data is an abstraction:
+ certain properties/characteristics of the real world are ignored
because they are considered peripheral to the problem
+ therefore represents a simplification of facts
+ problem solving: defining the set of characteristics relevant to the
problem
+ the *choice of representation* may involve several levels of detail:
consider deciding the position of an object.
+ polar v. cartesian coordinates (and selection of origin)
+ floating point v. integer representation of coordinates
## The concept of data type
+ in maths, we have different types: whole, integer, rational, etc...
+ principle: *every constant, variable, expression, or function is of
a certain data type*
+ adherence to this means the compiler can check constructs for
legality and compatibility
+ programming languages provide base data types, which can be extended
by the programmer
+ *cardinality*: the number of distinct values belonging to some type
*T*
+ *methods of structuring*:
+ the array
+ the record (aka structure)
+ the set
+ the sequence (aka file)
+ operators provide a mechanism for using data
+ comparison and assignment: most important basic operators
+ assignment: `:=`
+ equality: `=`
+ *transfer operator*: translate between data types
+ *selector* instead of *getter*
## Primitive data types
+ enum: integer used when the data type type represents a choice from
a small set of choices
+ rule 1.1: **type** *T* = (*c*_1, *c*_2, …, *c*_n)
+ cardinality of T: card(T) ← *n*
+ ordered types define *succ(x)* and *pred(x)*
+ ordering among values of *T* is defined by rule 1.2: (*c*_i < *c*_j) = (*i* < *j*)
## Standard primitive types
+ four types: integer, Boolean, char, real
+ integers
+ subset of whole numbers depending on implementation (e.g. 32-bit v. 64-bit)
+ four basic operations: +, -, *, **div**
+ integer division returns an integer result, e.g. for positive *m* and *n*
+ rule 1.3: *m* - *n* < (*m* **div** *n*) * *n* <= *m*
+ modulus operator is defined by
+ rule 1.4: (*m* **div** *n*) * *n* + (*m* **mod** *n*) = *m*
+ real
+ limitations on precision due to implementation
+ real division: **/**
+ Boolean
+ operators: **and**, **or**, **not**
+ comparisons are operators yielding a Boolean
+ char
+ printable character
+ standard char ←→ integer transfer functions: *ord* and *chr*