[programming] add advanced data type box

programming/lecture/programming.tex

@@ -1009,6 +1009,60 @@ segment of data of a certain time span (the stimulus was on,
   \end{itemize}
 \end{exercise}
 
+\begin{ibox}[ht]{\label{whenscriptsbox}Advanced data types}
+  Thoughout this script and the exercises we will limit ourselves to
+  the basic data types introduced above (int, double, char, scalars,
+  vectors, matrices and strings). There are, however, \matlab{}-
+  specific advanced data structures that make life easier (mostly). We
+  will introduce them breifly here and refer to the \matlab{} help for
+  further information.  \textbf{Note: Some of these data types are
+    more recent additions to the matlab language. One should consider
+    this if downward compatibility is desired/needed.}
+
+  \textbf{Structures} Arrays of named fields that each can contain
+  arbitrary data types. \codeterm{Structures} can have sub-structures
+  and thus can build a trees. Structures are often used to combine
+  data and mtadata in a single variable.
+
+  \textbf{Cell arrays} Arrays of variables that contain different
+  types. Unlike structures, the entries of a \codeterm{Cell array} are
+  not named. Indexing in \codeterm{Cell arrays} requires a special
+  operator the \code{\{\}}. \matlab{} uses \codeterm{Cell arrays} for
+  example when strings of different lengths should be stored in the
+  same variable: \varcode{months = \{'Januar', 'February', 'March',
+    'April', 'May', 'Jun'\};}.  Note the curly braces that are used to
+  create the array and are also used for indexing.
+
+  \textbf{Tables} Tabular structure that allows to have columns of
+  varying type combined with a header (much like a spreadsheet).
+
+  \textbf{Timetables} Array of values that are associated with a
+  timestamp. For example one can store measurements, that are made in
+  irregular intervals togehter with the measurement time in a single
+  variable. Without the \codeterm{Timetable} data type at least two
+  variables (one storing the time, the other the measurement) would be
+  required. \codeterm{Timetables} offer specific convenience functions
+  to work with timestamps.
+
+  \textbf{Maps} In a \codeterm{map} a \codeterm{value} is associated
+  with an arbitrary \codeterm{key}. The \codeterm{key} is not
+  restricted to be an integer but can be almost anything. Maps are an
+  alternative to structures with the additional advantage that the key
+  can be used during indexing: \varcode{my\_map('key')}.
+
+  \textbf{Categorical arrays} are used to stored values that come from
+  a limited set of values, e.g. Months. Such categories can then be
+  used for filter operations. \codeterm{Categorical arrays} are often
+  used in conjunctions with \codeterm{Tables}.
+  \begin{lstlisting}[caption={Using Categorical arrays}, label=categoricallisting]
+>> months = categorical({'Jan', 'Feb', 'Jan', 'Dec'});
+>> events = [10, 2, 18, 20 ];
+>> events(months == 'Jan')
+ans =
+     10   18
+  \end{lstlisting}
+
+\end{ibox}
 
 \section{Control flow}\label{controlstructsec}