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'''Structures''' are a mechanism available in most [[programming language]]s for creating a named block of associated data values (usually of mixed [[type]]s), effectively an extended type; the elements have individual sub-names. Instances of the structure can then be used in various ways - e.g. by being passed as an [[argument]] to a [[ | '''Structures''' (sometimes called '''records''') are a mechanism available in most [[programming language]]s for creating a named block of associated data values (usually of mixed [[type]]s), effectively an extended type; the elements have individual sub-names. Instances of the structure can then be used in various ways - e.g. by being passed as an [[argument]] to a [[subroutine]]. | ||
One common use is to have an [[array]] of a particular kind of structure; without structures, the [[program]] would have to have N arrays, one for each data item in the structure. | One common use is to have an [[array]] of a particular kind of structure; without structures, the [[program]] would have to have N arrays, one for each data item in the structure. | ||
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[[Category: Software Basics]] | |||
Latest revision as of 14:19, 2 September 2026
Structures (sometimes called records) are a mechanism available in most programming languages for creating a named block of associated data values (usually of mixed types), effectively an extended type; the elements have individual sub-names. Instances of the structure can then be used in various ways - e.g. by being passed as an argument to a subroutine.
One common use is to have an array of a particular kind of structure; without structures, the program would have to have N arrays, one for each data item in the structure.
