What are the performance differences between queues and stacks?

What are the performance differences between queues and stacks?

Queues and stacks are both data structures, but they have different performance characteristics. A stack follows Last In First Out (LIFO) while a queue follows First In First Out (FIFO). In terms of performance, both have O(1) time complexity for adding and removing elements, but their use cases differ.

Can you explain when to use a queue over a stack?

Certainly! Use a queue when you need to process items in the order they arrive, like in task scheduling. Use a stack for scenarios like backtracking, where you need to access the most recently added item first.

What are some real-world applications of queues?

Real-world applications of queues include printer job scheduling, task management in operating systems, and handling requests in web servers.

Are there any performance trade-offs I should be aware of?

Yes, while both structures have O(1) operations, the choice between them can affect memory usage and access patterns, which may impact performance in specific scenarios.