Differences and relations between sequential table and array (easy to confuse), linear table and linked list

First , We need to understand the concepts of logical structure and physical structure

• Logical structure ： The structure definition is the mathematical description of the operation object , It describes the logical relationship between data elements . for example , Linear structure , A tree structure , A pictorial or reticular structure . They all belong to logical structure .
• Physical structure ： Also known as storage structure , Is the representation of data structures in computers （ Also called image ）. for example , Array , The pointer .

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The linear table

The linear table belongs to the linear structure of the data logical structure , In case of sequential storage , Is the sequence table ; Linked storage is a linked list

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Linked list

One of the linear tables , Its storage structure is to use any group of storage units to store data elements . So its storage structure can be continuous , It can not be continuous . Generally speaking, the linked list is discontinuous . There is a linked list represented by an array , be called Static list , Its storage structure is continuous .

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Sequential tables and arrays

These two concepts are very confusing .

• The order sheet yes An implementation of linear tables , Belong to Physical structure , The sequence table is in the computer memory In the form of an array Saved linear table
• Array It's a kind of Physical structure , Its storage units are continuous .

thus it can be seen , The sequence table is equivalent to an encapsulation of the array , Array is a bigger concept .

So don't worry about it , When we usually say that arrays and linear tables are almost the same thing .

If you have to explain , You say

Both sequential tables and arrays are physical structures , The sequence table is in the computer memory In the form of an array Saved linear table