What is the difference between a priority queue and a heap in C++?

What is the difference between a priority queue and a heap in C++?

A priority queue is an abstract data type that allows you to access the highest (or lowest) priority element first. A heap is a specific implementation of a priority queue, typically using a binary tree structure.

Can you explain how a binary heap works?

Sure! A binary heap is a complete binary tree where each node follows the heap property: in a max-heap, the parent node is greater than or equal to its children, while in a min-heap, the parent is less than or equal to its children.

How do I implement a priority queue using a heap in C++?

You can use the STL's priority_queue class in C++. It uses a binary heap under the hood. You can push elements with push() and retrieve the highest priority element with top().

What are the time complexities for operations in a priority queue?

For a binary heap implementation, insertion and deletion of the highest priority element both have a time complexity of O(log n), while accessing the highest priority element is O(1).