Data structures and algorithms for social media Essay

Data structures and algorithms for social media - Essay Example This treatise discusses how the choice of data structures and algorithms affect social media. The paper also focuses on the differences in security procedures when it comes to large data sets as found in social media sites as compared to simpler and Java-driven websites. Social media are a group of websites that aid in social interaction, and consist of voluminous databases. In understanding data structures, one should take into account that they mostly define the memory mechanisms. In a computer, data is conveyed in chunks from the Random Access Memory (RAM) to the hard disk. The running time of this transfer is determined by the blocks/chunks. Data structures enhance efficiency in computing. The more powerful a computer is enables it to handle more complex applications, which lead to more complex calculations (Bender & Kuszmaul, 2014). The choices applied in the selection of data structures and algorithms determine whether a particular calculation will be carried out in many days or in just a few seconds. In social media, the information is stored in large database; hence, computations that result in searching of different information need to be performed at a very fast rate. This calls for keen choice of data structures and algorithms. In enhancing efficiency, a given solution will be termed efficient once it solves the problems assigned to it within the confines of the resource constraints (Shaffer, 2014). In deciding the data structure to use in a social media site, some of the steps to consider include; an analysis of the problem for determination of the applicable resource constrains, determination of the operation to be supported against the resource constrains, and selection of the most appropriate data structure for the given problem. In selecting a data structure, it is always good to consider the cost of the solution, which is a factor of the resources used,