In computer science, a data structure is a way of organizing and storing data in a computer so that it can be accessed and modified efficiently. Different types of data structures are suited to different kinds of applications, and some are highly specialized for specific tasks. Data structures provide a means to manage large amounts of data efficiently, such as large databases and internet indexing services. Efficient data structures are a key to designing efficient algorithms. Some common data structures include arrays, linked lists, stacks, queues, trees, and hash tables.