When should I use a stack or a queue in Java?

When should I use a stack or a queue in Java?

In Java, use a stack when you need last-in, first-out (LIFO) access, like for undo mechanisms. Use a queue for first-in, first-out (FIFO) access, like in task scheduling.

Can you give me an example of when to use a stack?

Sure! A common example is the backtracking algorithm, where you need to remember previous states. A stack helps you backtrack to the last state.

And what about a queue? Any practical examples?

Yes! A queue is often used in breadth-first search algorithms or for managing tasks in a print queue, where the first task added is the first to be processed.

Are there any performance differences between them?

Both stack and queue operations (push/pop for stack, enqueue/dequeue for queue) have O(1) time complexity. However, their use cases differ based on the data access pattern.