structured

Structured is an adjective describing something arranged according to a plan, system, or formal rules. When an object, process, or dataset is structured, its parts are defined, ordered, and related within a coherent framework. The term often implies an explicit schema or architecture that guides organization and use.

In data processing, structured data refers to information organized into clearly defined models, such as tables in a relational database. It is described by a schema and can be efficiently stored, indexed, and queried with SQL. Examples include customer records, financial ledgers, and catalog entries. By contrast, unstructured data lacks a fixed schema.

In programming, structured approaches emphasize clarity and control flow. Structured programming advocates using sequences, conditionals, and loops rather than arbitrary jumps, improving readability and maintainability. Data structures themselves are structured representations of information, including arrays, records, trees, and graphs, which support efficient algorithms and scalable software design.

In other domains, "structured" can describe standardized methods such as structured interviews in human resources, or structured finance in finance, where assets are packaged into tranches with predefined risk. In science and mathematics, structure refers to the underlying organization of objects, from molecular arrangements to algebraic or logical frameworks.