What are the performance differences between stacks and queues?

What are the performance differences between stacks and queues?

Stacks and queues are both abstract data types, but they have different performance characteristics. Stacks use LIFO (Last In, First Out) while queues use FIFO (First In, First Out). In terms of time complexity, both operations like push/pop for stacks and enqueue/dequeue for queues typically operate in O(1) time.

Can you explain how these data structures are implemented?

Sure! Stacks can be implemented using arrays or linked lists. In an array-based stack, you maintain an index to the top element. For queues, you can also use arrays or linked lists, but with a circular array or two pointers to manage the front and rear efficiently.

What are some real-world applications of stacks and queues?

Stacks are often used in function call management and undo mechanisms in applications. Queues are used in scheduling tasks, like print jobs or CPU task scheduling.

Which one is more efficient for memory usage?

It depends on the implementation. Generally, linked lists can be more memory-efficient for both, as they don't require a predefined size like arrays. However, arrays can be faster due to better cache locality.