a.3.5 abstract data types (adts)
Think outside the box. Discover Abstract Data Types like stacks, queues, and trees, defined by how they behave rather than how they are built, to solve complex logic problems.
Sometimes you don't need to know how an engine works to drive a car; you just need to know what the pedals do. Abstract Data Types (ADTs) are the same concept for coding. We define them by their behaviour, not their code. Take a Stack, for example: it’s like a stack of plates where the last one you put on is the first one you take off (LIFO) - perfect for an "Undo" button. Or a Queue, which is just like a line at a shop (First-In, First-Out(FIFO)). We also explore Trees and Graphs, which are essential for modelling things like social networks or file systems.
Introduction to the technology that drives cryptocurrency.
This section details the progression for Abstract Data Types (ADTs), tracing a journey from foundational physical sequencing in early years to complex cryptographic structures like blockchains at Key Stage 5. It establishes a rigorous 1-to-1 alignment between the theoretical understanding of data organization and the procedural ability to implement it. By explicitly separating logical interfaces from underlying memory implementation, this mapping ensures students move beyond built-in language features to become engineers capable of designing bespoke, memory-efficient solutions for real-world problems like network routing and secure ledgers.
Last modified: March 20th, 2026
