C++: Skip List vs Balanced Trees

What are the main differences between skip lists and balanced trees in C++?

Skip lists are probabilistic data structures that allow for fast search, insertion, and deletion, while balanced trees like AVL or Red-Black trees maintain a strict balance to ensure O(log n) time complexity for these operations.

Which one is more efficient for large datasets?

It depends on the use case. Skip lists can be faster for concurrent operations due to their simpler structure, while balanced trees provide guaranteed performance and are often better for static datasets.

Can you give an example of when to use a skip list?

Skip lists are great for applications requiring frequent insertions and deletions, like in-memory databases or caching systems.

What about balanced trees? When should I use them?

Balanced trees are ideal for scenarios where you need consistent performance and ordered data retrieval, such as in databases or file systems.