What are the different types of heaps in C++?

What are the different types of heaps in C++?

In C++, heaps can be categorized mainly into two types: the max heap and the min heap. A max heap ensures that the parent node is always greater than or equal to its child nodes, while a min heap ensures the opposite.

Can you explain how to implement a max heap?

Sure! To implement a max heap, you can use an array to represent the heap. The parent-child relationship can be defined using indices: for any element at index i, its left child is at 2i + 1 and its right child is at 2i + 2. You can then use operations like insert and delete to maintain the heap property.

What are the use cases for heaps?

Heaps are commonly used in priority queues, scheduling algorithms, and for implementing efficient sorting algorithms like heapsort.

How does heapsort work?

Heapsort works by first building a max heap from the input data. Then, it repeatedly extracts the maximum element from the heap and rebuilds the heap until all elements are sorted.