Abstract Data Types

This lesson covers Abstract Data Types (ADTs) — a foundational concept in the OCR A-Level Computer Science (H446) specification. Understanding ADTs is essential for designing clean, modular, and maintainable software.

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What is an Abstract Data Type?

An Abstract Data Type (ADT) is a logical description of a data structure that defines:

1. What data it stores.
2. What operations can be performed on the data.

An ADT does not specify how the data is stored or how the operations are implemented. It describes the interface (what you can do) without revealing the implementation (how it is done).

Analogy

Think of a television remote control:

• Interface: You know you can press "Volume Up", "Channel Down", "Power On/Off".
• Implementation: You do not need to know the electronics inside the remote.

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Why Use ADTs?