What is the difference between a queue and a priority queue?

What is the difference between a queue and a priority queue?

A queue is a data structure that follows the First In First Out (FIFO) principle, while a priority queue allows elements to be processed based on their priority.

Can you give me an example of how a priority queue works?

Sure! In a priority queue, each element has a priority level. For instance, if you have tasks with different priorities, the task with the highest priority will be processed first, regardless of when it was added.

What are some real-world applications of priority queues?

Priority queues are used in various applications like scheduling tasks in operating systems, managing bandwidth in networks, and in algorithms like Dijkstra's for finding the shortest path.

Are there any specific data structures used to implement a priority queue?

Yes, priority queues can be implemented using data structures like binary heaps, Fibonacci heaps, or even balanced binary search trees.