How does the performance of binary search trees compare to other data structures?

How does the performance of binary search trees compare to other data structures?

Binary search trees (BSTs) offer efficient search, insert, and delete operations, typically O(log n) time complexity for balanced trees.

What happens to the performance if the BST becomes unbalanced?

If a BST becomes unbalanced, its performance degrades to O(n) for search, insert, and delete operations, similar to a linked list.

Are there ways to keep a BST balanced?

Yes, self-balancing trees like AVL trees and Red-Black trees automatically maintain balance during insertions and deletions.

How do these self-balancing trees perform compared to regular BSTs?

Self-balancing trees maintain O(log n) performance for all operations, ensuring efficiency even with frequent updates.

Can you explain the difference between AVL trees and Red-Black trees?

Sure! AVL trees maintain stricter balance than Red-Black trees, leading to faster lookups, while Red-Black trees allow for faster insertions and deletions.