************************ Data Abstraction in Java ************************ Abstract Data Type ================== + Definition and Purpose of ADTs * Abstract Data Types (ADTs) are high-level data structures that encapsulate data and operations on that data. They provide a way to abstract and model real-world concepts or entities in software. * ADTs focus on the behavior and functionality of data rather than its implementation details, allowing programmers to work with data structures at a higher level of abstraction. + Benefits of Using ADTs * Modularity: ADTs promote modular design by encapsulating data and operations, making it easier to manage and maintain complex systems. * Code Reusability: ADTs can be reused across multiple projects or modules, saving development time and effort. * Security and Reliability: ADTs enforce data integrity and encapsulation, reducing the risk of errors and ensuring reliable and secure data manipulation. * Abstraction: ADTs provide a higher-level abstraction, allowing programmers to focus on the problem domain rather than low-level implementation details. ADT in Java =========== + Defined as Java interfaces * Not all interfaces are ADTs + Collection of public interfaces are often known as a Java API (Application Programming Interface) + Implemented as Java class that implements the interface + Used in Java client classes + Complicated inheritance hierarchy of ADTs may occur * Interface inheritance * Implementation inheritance .. note:: This is in the ideal scenario. In practice, Java ADTs are often implemented directly as concrete classes if there are only a few implementations of the ADT. Relationship to Data structures =============================== + ADTs are a high-level abstraction of data structures + Data structures are a low-level implementation of ADTs + In Java * ADTs are defined as interfaces * Data structures are defined as classes that implement the ADT interfaces