The standard second course in computer science has traditionally covered the fun- damental data structures and algorithms, but more recently these topics have been included in the broader topic of abstract data types. This book is no exception, with the main focus on the design, use, and implementation of abstract data types. The importance of designing and using abstract data types for easier modular pro- gramming is emphasized throughout the text. The traditional data structures are also presented throughout the text in terms of implementing the various abstract data types. Multiple implementations using dierent data structures are used throughout the text to reinforce the abstraction concept. Common algorithms are also presented throughout the text as appropriate to provide complete coverage of the typical data structures course.

More and more programmers are turning to Python and this book will give them the understanding they need. Necaise introduces the basic array structure and explores the fundamentals of implementing and using multi-dimensional arrays. The underlying mechanisms of many of Python’s built-in data structures and constructs are covered. A number of ADTs and applications are discussed as threads throughout the book to allow for multiple implementations as new data structures are introduced. Real-world applications of the various chapter topics are also presented. This gives programmers complete coverage of abstraction and the basic data structures and algorithms in the Python language.