1. Type: In the context of computer science, a "type" categorizes data into groups with similar characteristics and behaviors. For instance, integers, floating-point numbers, and strings are different types of data. Types determine the operations that can be performed on data and how data is stored in memory. 2. Data Item: A "data item" refers to a single piece of information that a computer program can process. It could be a number, a character, or a more complex structure like a record. Data items are the basic units of information manipulated by computer programs. 3. Data Type: A "data type" specifies the type of data that a variable can hold and the operations that can be performed on that data. It defines a set of values and the allowable operations on those values. Examples of data types include integers, strings, and arrays (Shaffer, 2013, Chapter 1). 4. Abstract Data Type (ADT): An "abstract data type" is a theoretical model that defines a set of operations on data without specifying how those operations are implemented. It encapsulates data and operations into a single unit, allowing for data abstraction and modular programming. Examples of ADTs include stacks, queues, and trees.
5. Data Structure: A "data structure" is a concrete implementation of an abstract data type. It specifies how data is organized, stored, and accessed in memory. Data structures provide algorithms for efficient data manipulation and retrieval. Examples include arrays, linked lists, and hash tables. 6. Class: In object-oriented programming, a "class" is a blueprint for creating objects. It defines the properties (data members) and behaviors (member functions) that objects of that class will have. Classes facilitate code organization, reuse, and modularity (Shaffer, 2013, Chapter 1). 7. Member Function: A "member function," also known as a method, is a function that operates on objects of a class. It encapsulates behavior associated with the class and can access and modify data members of the class. Member functions define the actions that objects of the class can perform. 8. Data Members: "Data members" are variables declared within a class that represent the properties or attributes of objects of that class. They store the state of objects and define their characteristics. Data members are accessed and manipulated by member functions of the class (Shaffer, 2013, Chapter 1).
Reference: Shaffer, C. A. (2013). A Practical Introduction to Data Structures and Algorithm Analysis. Prentice Hall.