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Introduction-to-the-Stack

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8 views

Introduction-to-the-Stack

Uploaded by

danugokul850
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Introduction to the

Stack
The stack is a fundamental data structure in computer science that
follows the Last-In-First-Out (LIFO) principle. It is a linear data structure
that allows elements to be added and removed from the top, similar to a
stack of plates.
What is the Stack?

Linear Data Structure LIFO Principle Dynamic Size


The stack is a linear data The stack follows the Last- The size of the stack can
structure, meaning In-First-Out (LIFO) change dynamically as
elements are stored in a principle, where the last elements are added or
specific order. element added is the first removed.
one to be removed.
Components of the Stack
Top Bottom Stack Pointer
The top of the stack refers to The bottom of the stack refers The stack pointer keeps track
the most recently added to the first element added, of the current position in the
element. which is the last one to be stack, pointing to the top
removed. element.
Pushing and Popping Elements
Pushing Overflow and Underflow
Adding an element to the top of the stack is Attempting to push an element onto a full
called pushing. The stack pointer is stack is called a stack overflow, while trying
incremented, and the new element is placed to pop from an empty stack is a stack
at the top. underflow.

1 2 3

Popping
Removing an element from the top of the
stack is called popping. The element at the
top is accessed, and the stack pointer is
decremented.
Stack Operations

1 Push 2 Pop
Adds an element to the top of the stack. Removes the top element from the stack.

3 Peek 4 IsEmpty
Retrieves the top element without Checks if the stack is empty.
removing it.
Applications of the Stack

Function Calls Undo/Redo Expression Backtracking


Stacks are used to
Operations Evaluation Algorithms
keep track of function Stacks are used to Stacks are used to Stacks are used in
calls and return implement undo and evaluate mathematical backtracking
addresses. redo functionality in expressions in reverse algorithms to keep
various applications. Polish notation. track of the search
path.
Advantages and Disadvantages of the
Stack
Advantages Disadvantages

Simple and efficient data structure Limited access to elements, only the top
Easy to implement and understand element can be accessed

Constant-time operations for push, pop, and Fixed size if implemented using an array,
peek leading to potential overflow issues
Slower performance compared to other data
structures like arrays for random access
Conclusion and Key Takeaways
LIFO Principle
1 The stack follows the Last-In-First-Out (LIFO) principle, where the last
element added is the first one to be removed.

Push and Pop Operations


2 The main operations on a stack are pushing (adding) and popping
(removing) elements from the top.

Applications and Uses


3 Stacks are widely used in various applications, such as function calls,
undo/redo operations, expression evaluation, and backtracking algorithms.

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