If you want to implement a priority queue that allows for efficient decrease-key
Practice Questions
Q1
If you want to implement a priority queue that allows for efficient decrease-key operations, which data structure would be most suitable?
Binary Heap
Fibonacci Heap
Array
Linked List
Questions & Step-by-Step Solutions
If you want to implement a priority queue that allows for efficient decrease-key operations, which data structure would be most suitable?
Step 1: Understand what a priority queue is. A priority queue is a data structure that stores elements with priorities, allowing for efficient retrieval of the element with the highest (or lowest) priority.
Step 2: Learn about the decrease-key operation. This operation is used to decrease the priority of an element in the priority queue, which can affect its position in the queue.
Step 3: Identify the need for efficiency. If you frequently need to decrease the priority of elements, you need a data structure that can handle this operation quickly.
Step 4: Research different data structures for priority queues. Common options include binary heaps, binomial heaps, and Fibonacci heaps.
Step 5: Compare the efficiency of decrease-key operations in these data structures. Binary heaps have a time complexity of O(log n) for decrease-key, while Fibonacci heaps can perform this operation in O(1) time.
Step 6: Conclude that a Fibonacci heap is the best choice for a priority queue that requires efficient decrease-key operations.
