Advanced Placement (AP) Computer Science

In a hierarchical addressing system, what is the sequence mimicked after?

1. Network topology

2. The postal system

3. File storage system

4. Database structure

The correct answer is: The postal system

In a hierarchical addressing system, the sequence mimics the structure of the postal system. This analogy is particularly effective because both hierarchical addressing and the postal system organize information in a logical, tiered manner. In the postal system, addresses are composed of multiple components that work together to precisely locate a given destination. For example, a postal address typically includes elements such as country, state, city, street, and house number. Each level of the address narrows down the location until it reaches a specific point, similar to how hierarchical addressing breaks down data into parent-child relationships, facilitating efficient searching, retrieval, or data organization. This hierarchical structure allows for clear delineation among various levels of addressing, making it easier to manage and navigate large sets of information. In contrast, options like network topology, file storage systems, and database structures do not necessarily follow such a defined hierarchical format. They can be organized in various ways that may not entail a clear top-down addressing or labeling system analogous to how postal addresses work. Thus, the postal system serves as the best model for understanding hierarchical addressing.