Last-In-First-Out structures powering undo systems and expression parsing.
Theory
Code
Theory & Description
A stack is a Last-In-First-Out (LIFO) data structure where elements are added and removed from the same end, called the top. Think of it like a stack of plates: you can only add or remove the top plate. Stacks are fundamental to function call management, expression evaluation, backtracking algorithms, and undo mechanisms in software.
Common Use Cases
- Function call stack and recursion
- Expression evaluation and syntax parsing
- Undo/Redo operations in editors
- Browser back/forward navigation
Complexity Cheat Sheet
| Operation | Average | Worst |
|---|---|---|
| Access | O(n) | O(n) |
| Search | O(n) | O(n) |
| Push | O(1) | O(1) |
| Pop | O(1) | O(1) |
| Space Complexity | O(n) | |
Visualization
Problems
Interactive Visualization
Interactive Visualization
An interactive playground for Stacks will appear here. Insert elements, step through operations, and watch the data structure update in real time.