a.3 data structures & representation
Information—from text and images to social media feeds—must be translated into a language machines understand: binary.
Explore how raw, unorganised facts are transformed into meaningful information and ultimately into the deep understanding and wisdom needed to make smart decisions.
Crack the code of the digital world by learning how numbers, text, images, and sound are all translated into the 1s and 0s of binary that a computer's hardware can process.
Discover the clever techniques, such as parity bits and checksums, used to ensure data remains accurate and consistent even if it is accidentally damaged during storage or transmission.
Master the various ways to pack and organise data in a computer’s memory—from simple lists and grids to complex dictionaries—to ensure your programs can find and use information efficiently.
Investigate advanced, conceptual "containers" like stacks, queues, and blockchains that are defined by how they behave rather than just how they are built.
Learn the professional principles of storing and managing massive amounts of structured information using linked tables to keep data reliable and easy to search.
Dive into the world of 'Big Data' to understand how we manage and find hidden patterns in the incredibly vast and fast-moving datasets generated by everything from social media to scientific research.
Last modified: February 9th, 2026
