What is Stack? Important Data Structure

#webdev #programming #career #tutorial

A stack is a particular kind of abstract data type or collection that is used in computer science. Elements are added to and removed from a stack using a principle known as "LIFO" (Last In, First Out), meaning that the most recently added elements are the first to be removed.

Here are the main operations associated with a stack:

Push: This operation is used to insert an element into the stack. If the stack is full, then it is said to be an Overflow condition. In a stack, the new element is always added at the top.
Pop: This operation is used to remove an element from the stack. Elements are always removed from the top. If the stack is empty, then it is said to be an Underflow condition.
Peek or Top: This operation helps to get the topmost element of the stack. It does not delete the element; it only returns the value of the topmost element.
isEmpty: This operation checks if the stack is empty.
isFull: This operation checks if the stack is full.

One of the most intuitive real-world examples of a stack is a pile of plates. When you add a plate, it goes on the top of the pile (push). When you need a plate, you take it from the top of the pile (pop). And when you want to know what plate you will get, you just check the top plate (peek/top).

In computing, stacks are used in many areas, including managing function calls, parsing expressions, backtracking algorithms, undo functionality in software programs, memory management, etc.

A stack can be implemented using various underlying data structures such as an array, linked list, or a dynamically resizing array (like ArrayList in Java or vector in C++). The choice of underlying structure can affect the efficiency of different stack operations

Thank you for reading. I encourage you to follow me on Twitter where I regularly share content about JavaScript and React, as well as contribute to open-source projects. I am currently seeking a remote job or internship.

Twitter: https://twitter.com/Diwakar_766

GitHub: https://github.com/DIWAKARKASHYAP

Portfolio: https://diwakar-portfolio.vercel.app/