Which of the following data structures is most efficient for implementing Dijkst
Practice Questions
Q1
Which of the following data structures is most efficient for implementing Dijkstra's algorithm?
Array
Linked List
Binary Heap
Stack
Questions & Step-by-Step Solutions
Which of the following data structures is most efficient for implementing Dijkstra's algorithm?
Step 1: Understand Dijkstra's algorithm. It is used to find the shortest path from a starting node to all other nodes in a graph.
Step 2: Identify the main operations needed for Dijkstra's algorithm. These include finding the node with the smallest distance (minimum element) and updating distances to neighboring nodes.
Step 3: Consider different data structures that can be used to perform these operations. Common options include arrays, linked lists, and heaps.
Step 4: Recognize that a binary heap is a type of priority queue that allows for efficient retrieval of the minimum element and efficient updates.
Step 5: Compare the efficiency of a binary heap with other data structures. A binary heap can perform the minimum extraction in O(log n) time and updates in O(log n) time, which is faster than using an array or linked list.
Step 6: Conclude that a binary heap is the most efficient data structure for implementing Dijkstra's algorithm due to its performance in handling the required operations.
