How does a binary search tree work?

Can you explain how a binary search tree works?

Sure! A binary search tree (BST) is a data structure that maintains sorted data. Each node has at most two children, and for any given node, the left child's value is less than the parent's value, while the right child's value is greater.

What are the advantages of using a binary search tree?

The main advantages include efficient searching, insertion, and deletion operations, which can be done in O(log n) time on average if the tree is balanced.

How do you insert a new value into a binary search tree?

To insert a new value, start at the root and compare the value to be inserted with the current node's value. If it's smaller, move to the left child; if larger, move to the right child. Repeat this until you find an empty spot.

What happens if the tree becomes unbalanced?

If a BST becomes unbalanced, the time complexity for operations can degrade to O(n), making it inefficient. To maintain balance, self-balancing trees like AVL or Red-Black trees can be used.