4.3. What is a Stack? — Problem Solving with Algorithms and Data Structures (2024)

A stack (sometimes called a “push-down stack”) is an orderedcollection of items where the addition of new items and the removal ofexisting items always takes place at the same end. This end is commonlyreferred to as the “top.” The end opposite the top is known as the“base.”

The base of the stack is significant since items stored in the stackthat are closer to the base represent those that have been in the stackthe longest. The most recently added item is the one that is in positionto be removed first. This ordering principle is sometimes calledLIFO, last-in first-out. It provides an ordering based on lengthof time in the collection. Newer items are near the top, while olderitems are near the base.

Many examples of stacks occur in everyday situations. Almost anycafeteria has a stack of trays or plates where you take the one at thetop, uncovering a new tray or plate for the next customer in line.Imagine a stack of books on a desk (Figure 1). The onlybook whose cover is visible is the one on top. To access others in thestack, we need to remove the ones that are sitting on top of them.Figure 2 shows another stack. This one contains a numberof primitive Python data objects.

4.3. What is a Stack? — Problem Solving with Algorithms and Data Structures (1)
4.3. What is a Stack? — Problem Solving with Algorithms and Data Structures (2)

One of the most useful ideas related to stacks comes from the simpleobservation of items as they are added and then removed. Assume youstart out with a clean desktop. Now place books one at a time on top ofeach other. You are constructing a stack. Consider what happens when youbegin removing books. The order that they are removed is exactly thereverse of the order that they were placed. Stacks are fundamentallyimportant, as they can be used to reverse the order of items. The orderof insertion is the reverse of the order of removal.Figure 3 shows the Python data object stack as it wascreated and then again as items are removed. Note the order of theobjects.

See Also
Stacking

4.3. What is a Stack? — Problem Solving with Algorithms and Data Structures (3)

Considering this reversal property, you can perhaps think of examples ofstacks that occur as you use your computer. For example, every webbrowser has a Back button. As you navigate from web page to web page,those pages are placed on a stack (actually it is the URLs that aregoing on the stack). The current page that you are viewing is on the topand the first page you looked at is at the base. If you click on theBack button, you begin to move in reverse order through the pages.

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4.3. What is a Stack? — Problem Solving with Algorithms and Data Structures (2024)

FAQs

What is stack in algorithm and data structure? ›

What is a Stack? A Stack is a linear data structure that holds a linear, ordered sequence of elements. It is an abstract data type. A Stack works on the LIFO process (Last In First Out), i.e., the element that was inserted last will be removed first.

What is problem solving in data structures and algorithms? ›

The "Problem Solving in Data Structures & Algorithms" series is designed to help programmers master the application of data structures and algorithms in real-world scenarios, with a particular focus on interview preparation.

What is the simple definition of stack? ›

a pile of things arranged one on top of another: He chose a cartoon from the stack of DVDs on the shelf.

What is a stack example? ›

Real-life examples of a stack are a deck of cards, piles of books, piles of money, and many more. This example allows you to perform operations from one end only, like when you insert and remove new books from the top of the stack.

What is an algorithm in data structure? ›

An algorithm is a set of commands that must be followed for a computer to perform calculations or other problem-solving operations.According to its formal definition, an algorithm is a finite set of instructions carried out in a specific order to perform a particular task.

What is data structures and algorithms in full stack development? ›

Data structures and algorithms are the most required skill for back-end developers, hence to build the entire system, DSA is a must-skill. It is the building block of software development, therefore, without knowledge of data structures and algorithms, you can't even think of becoming a full-stack developer.

What are the steps in algorithmic problem-solving? ›

Step-by-Step Strategy to Solve Complex Algorithm
  • Step 1: Understand The Problem Statement.
  • Step 2: Identify the Appropriate Algorithm.
  • Step 3: Plan Your Solution.
  • Step 4: Implement The Algorithm.
  • Step 5: Analyze Time And Space Complexity.
  • Step 6: Test And Debug.
  • Step 7: Optimize And Refine.
  • Step 8: Documentation.

What is algorithm and what is the role of algorithm in problem-solving? ›

Algorithms are used to find the best possible way to solve a problem, based on data storage, sorting and processing, and machine learning. In doing so, they improve the efficiency of a program. Algorithms are used in all areas of computing.

What kind of problems are solved by algorithms? ›

Algorithms can be designed for any type of problem, i.e. mathematical, logical, or any complex problems. Example: Depth-first-search, traveling salesman, sorting algorithms, etc. But, after some steps, the algorithm would result in a finite solution before ending.

What is a stack and why is it needed? ›

A stack is a data structure used in computer science which operates based on the last-in-first-out (LIFO) principle. This means that the last item you put into the stack is the first one you get out. It's like a stack of plates; you can't remove a plate from the middle without disrupting the whole stack.

What is a stack for dummies? ›

A stack is an arrangement of “things” kept in order one over the other.

How do you describe a stack? ›

stack
  1. a. : an orderly pile or heap. b. ...
  2. a. : a number of flues embodied in one structure rising above a roof. b. ...
  3. a. : a structure of bookshelves for compact storage of books. usually used in plural. ...
  4. a. : a memory or a section of memory in a computer for temporary storage in which the last item stored is the first retrieved.
Sep 4, 2024

What is stack in an algorithm? ›

A Stack is a linear data structure that follows the LIFO (Last-In-First-Out) principle. Stack has one end, whereas the Queue has two ends (front and rear). It contains only one pointer top pointer pointing to the topmost element of the stack.

What is a real life example of stack data? ›

Stacks are used in various algorithms, data manipulation procedures and system architecture - like process scheduling in operating systems. Real-world examples include the 'undo' function in software applications following the 'LIFO' principle and a web browser's back button function using stack to track visited sites.

What is an example of data stack? ›

Cloud-based data warehouses, lakehouses, or data lakes are the basis of modern data stacks; provider examples include Google BigQuery, Amazon Redshift, Snowflake, and Databricks.

What is stack and queue in algorithm? ›

A stack is an ordered list in which all insertions and deletions are made at one end, called the top. A queue is an ordered list in which all insertions take place at one end, the rear, while all deletions take place at the other end, the front.

What is the difference between stack and array? ›

Stacks are abstract data structures with a linear arrangement resembling a pile. Arrays are not abstract. They consist of elements of the same data type arranged linearly. Stacks allow access to the most recently added data first, adhering to the LIFO principle (Last In, First Out).

Why is stack called FIFO data structure? ›

Stacks and queues are called linear data structures. A stack follows Last In, First Out (LIFO) order, where the last element added is the first to be removed. A queue follows First In, First Out (FIFO) order.

What is stack and why is it known as LIFO? ›

The stack data structure implements and follows the Last In, First Out (LIFO) principle. It implies that the element that is inserted last comes out first. The process of inserting an element in the stack is known as the push operation. Here, the deletion of elements is known as the pop operation.

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