What are the differences between a binary search tree and a B-tree?

What are the differences between a binary search tree and a B-tree?

A binary search tree (BST) is a tree data structure where each node has at most two children, while 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.

Can you explain the advantages of using a B-tree over a binary search tree?

Certainly! B-trees are more efficient for disk-based storage systems because they minimize disk reads. They can have multiple children per node, which reduces the height of the tree and allows for faster search times in large datasets.

Are there specific use cases where one is preferred over the other?

Yes, binary search trees are often used in memory-based applications where quick access is needed, while B-trees are preferred in databases and filesystems where data is stored on disk.

What about the complexity of operations in both trees?

In a balanced binary search tree, operations like search, insert, and delete have a time complexity of O(log n). In a B-tree, these operations also have a time complexity of O(log n), but they are optimized for systems that read and write large blocks of data.