Kiertokanta

Kiertokanta is a Finnish term that translates to "circular database" or "circular ledger." It refers to a data structure where information is organized in a closed loop or cycle. Unlike traditional linear data structures, a kiertokanta allows for continuous addition and retrieval of data in a manner that can effectively manage time-series or sequentially generated information.

The concept of a kiertokanta is often employed in systems that require efficient handling of logs, event streams, or historical data where older entries are periodically overwritten or archived. This can be particularly useful in embedded systems, monitoring tools, or applications dealing with high volumes of data where storage space is a concern. By maintaining a fixed-size circular buffer, new data can replace the oldest data, ensuring that the system always has access to the most recent information within its allocated memory.

The implementation of a kiertokanta typically involves pointers or indices that track the current write position and the beginning of the data. When the write pointer reaches the end of the allocated space, it wraps around to the beginning, overwriting the oldest data. This cyclical nature provides a simple yet effective mechanism for managing finite resources while maintaining a continuous flow of information. It is a fundamental data structure in computer science, often used as a building block for more complex systems.