Data Structures: Linked Lists, Stacks, Trees, Graphs, and Queue
1. Linked Lists
Definition:
A linked list is a dynamic data structure where elements (nodes) are stored in sequence.
Each node contains two parts: data and a pointer to the next node.
Advantages:
1. Dynamic size.
2. Ease of insertion and deletion.
Disadvantages:
1. Increased memory usage due to pointers.
2. No random access to elements.
Applications:
1. Memory management.
2. Implementing stacks and queues.
3. Undo mechanisms in software.
2. Stacks
Definition:
A stack is a linear data structure that follows the Last In First Out (LIFO) principle.
Elements are added and removed from the top.
Advantages:
1. Simple to implement.
2. Supports recursion and backtracking.
Disadvantages:
1. Only the top element is accessible.
2. Risk of overflow and underflow.
Applications:
1. Expression evaluation and parsing.
2. Function call management in programming.
3. Backtracking algorithms.
3. Trees
Definition:
A tree is a hierarchical structure where nodes are connected, forming parent-child relationships.
It starts from the root node and branches out into subtrees.
Advantages:
1. Efficient for hierarchical data representation.
2. Fast searching, inserting, and deleting in balanced trees.
Disadvantages:
1. Complex to implement and maintain.
2. Requires extra memory for pointers.
Applications:
1. File systems.
2. Database indexing.
3. Decision-making algorithms in AI.
4. Graphs
Definition:
A graph consists of vertices (nodes) and edges (connections). It can be directed (with direction)
or undirected (without direction).
Advantages:
1. Models complex relationships.
2. Efficient representation of networks.
Disadvantages:
1. Complex traversal and manipulation.
2. Requires significant memory for large graphs.
Applications:
1. Social networks and web links.
2. Network routing and algorithms.
3. Graph-based databases.
5. Queue
Definition:
A queue is a linear structure that follows the First In First Out (FIFO) principle.
Elements are added at the rear and removed from the front.
Advantages:
1. Simple to implement and manage tasks in order.
2. Ensures orderly processing of tasks.
Disadvantages:
1. Limited access to only front and rear elements.
2. Inefficient for operations like inserting in the middle.
Applications:
1. CPU task scheduling.
2. Printer queue management.
3. Breadth-first search in graphs.
