What is the difference between a database and data structure?

In: Computer Programming

[Edit]

Answer

A data structure is the internal representation of the data. It may be a list, a linked list, a stack, heap or just about anything else that can be immagined and represented internal to the machine. For example, the data structure may be a linked list of control blocks for a specific product that is progressing through an automated machining facility. The control block may include information regarding the product, the tolerances, date/time that the product entered the different machining centers and the inspectors who verified the product at different points along the way. The data structure (control block) may or may not be stored in a database during the manufacturing process. Some application engineers may determine that the data needs to remain in memory to address real-time issues and for speed concerns. On the other hand, the data may be handed off to a database application for archiving. A well defined database links the similar data elements together and provides lookup "keys" that allow subsequent users to view and manipulate the data.

First answer by Redbeard. Last edit by Redbeard. Contributor trust: 1941 [recommend contributor]. Question popularity: 7 [recommend question]

Research your answer:

Can you answer other questions about programming?

Answers.com > Wiki Answers > Categories > Technology > Computers > Computer Programming > What is the difference between a database and data structure?

Our contributors said this page should be displayed for the questions below. (Where do these come from

)

If any of these are not a genuine rephrasing of the question, please help out and edit these alternates.

What is a database structure? How do you structure a database? What is database storage structure? What is structure of database management? What are the types of database structure? Difference between data file and database? Difference between database and data structure? What is the difference between database and data? Esign the data structure that a parser would create? What is the Difference between database from data base? What is differance between database and data structure? What is the defference between data structure and rdbms? What is the need of database if you have data structure? What is the difference between data structure and rdbms? Difference between file organisation and data structure? What is difference between database and data- structure? What is difference between data structure and data store? What is the difference between database management system and data structures?