What are some algorithms that use priority queues?

What are some algorithms that use priority queues?

Priority queues are used in various algorithms, such as Dijkstra's algorithm for shortest paths and Huffman coding for data compression.

Can you explain how Dijkstra's algorithm works with a priority queue?

Sure! Dijkstra's algorithm uses a priority queue to efficiently select the next vertex with the smallest tentative distance.

What about Huffman coding? How does it utilize a priority queue?

Huffman coding builds a binary tree using a priority queue to combine the least frequent characters first, optimizing data encoding.

Are there any other algorithms that benefit from priority queues?

Yes, algorithms like A* search and Prim's algorithm for minimum spanning trees also utilize priority queues for efficiency.