data structure

This term is a technical compound noun used primarily in computer science and software engineering. It refers to the logical arrangement of data, such as arrays, stacks, or queues, which determines how information is stored in memory and the efficiency of operations performed upon it.

In professional discourse, the term is often used to discuss time and space complexity (Big O notation). While "structure" is a common word, in this specific pairing, it describes a mathematical or logical model rather than a physical object.