static data structure

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static data structure A data structure whose organizational characteristics are invariant throughout its lifetime. Such structures are well supported by high-level languages and familiar examples are arrays and records. The prime features of static structures are

(a) none of the structural information need be stored explicitly within the elements – it is often held in a distinct logical/physical header;

(b) the elements of an allocated structure are physically contiguous, held in a single segment of memory;

(c) all descriptive information, other than the physical location of the allocated structure, is determined by the structure definition;

(d) relationships between elements do not change during the lifetime of the structure.

Relaxation of these features leads to the concept of a dynamic data structure.