A multilevel data structure for complex hierarchies of interrelated objects

When a model of an object to be designed, or more generally a set of data interrelated in an intricate way, is to be created in the computer, a suitable data structure must be built up in the machine memory. This paper deals with the problem of representing objects composed of other objects, hierarchically organized and linked together by connection relations. A careful analysis of these objects, which are encountered in several applications, has provided the base for designing a flexible, systematic, expandable and relatively compact data structure for their computer representation. The characteristics which are common to several parts of the object are stored without duplication. An implementation of the structure based on the ring technique, which gives the structure its flexibility, is also described in detail.