What is a B-tree and how do I implement one?

What is a B-tree and how do I implement one in Python?

A B-tree is a self-balancing tree data structure that maintains sorted data and allows searches, sequential access, insertions, and deletions in logarithmic time. To implement one in Python, you can start by defining a BTreeNode class and a BTree class.

Can you show me a basic implementation of a B-tree in Python?

Sure! Here's a simple implementation:

class BTreeNode:
    def __init__(self, t, leaf=False):
        self.t = t  # Minimum degree
        self.leaf = leaf  # True if leaf node
        self.keys = []  # List of keys
        self.children = []  # List of child pointers

class BTree:
    def __init__(self, t):
        self.root = BTreeNode(t, True)
        self.t = t

    def insert(self, key):
        # Implementation of insert method
        pass

# Example usage:
btree = BTree(3)
btree.insert(10)

What are the advantages of using a B-tree over other data structures?

B-trees are particularly efficient for disk-based storage systems because they minimize disk reads. They also maintain balance, ensuring that operations like search, insert, and delete remain efficient, typically O(log n). This makes them ideal for databases and filesystems.