Which data structure is commonly used to implement a priority queue?
Practice Questions
Q1
Which data structure is commonly used to implement a priority queue?
Array
Linked List
Binary Search Tree
Heap
Questions & Step-by-Step Solutions
Which data structure is commonly used to implement a priority queue?
Step 1: Understand what a priority queue is. A priority queue is a special type of queue where each element has a priority. Elements with higher priority are served before those with lower priority.
Step 2: Learn about heaps. A heap is a specific type of binary tree that maintains a certain order. In a max-heap, the parent node is always greater than or equal to its child nodes, while in a min-heap, the parent node is always less than or equal to its child nodes.
Step 3: Know why heaps are used for priority queues. Heaps allow for quick access to the highest (or lowest) priority element, making it efficient to insert new elements and remove the highest (or lowest) priority element.
Step 4: Conclude that heaps are the common data structure used to implement priority queues because they provide the necessary efficiency for the operations needed.
