What Is the Data Structure Following the LIFO Order?

When it comes to organizing and managing data, data structures play a crucial role. One such data structure that follows the LIFO (Last In, First Out) order is the Stack.

A stack is a linear data structure that operates on the principle of “last in, first out,” meaning that the last element inserted into the stack is the first one to be removed. In this article, we will explore what a stack is, its characteristics, and how it can be implemented effectively.

The Stack Data Structure

A stack is an abstract data type that represents a collection of elements with two main operations: push and pop. The push operation adds an element to the top of the stack, while the pop operation removes and returns the topmost element. Additionally, stacks typically provide a peek operation that allows accessing the value of the topmost element without removing it.

Main Characteristics of a Stack:

• LIFO Order: As mentioned earlier, stacks follow the Last In, First Out order. The most recently added element (top) is always the first one to be removed.
• Restricted Access: Stacks offer limited access since elements can only be inserted or removed from one end called the top.
• No Random Access: Unlike arrays or linked lists, stacks do not allow direct access to specific elements. To reach an element in a stack other than the topmost one, all elements above it must first be popped off.
• Dynamic Size: Stacks can dynamically grow or shrink as elements are pushed or popped respectively.

The Stack Implementation

Stacks can be implemented using various programming languages. One of the most common ways to implement a stack is through an array or a linked list.

Array Implementation:

In this implementation, an array is used to store the stack elements. The top of the stack is represented by a variable that keeps track of the index of the last inserted element. Whenever an element is pushed onto the stack, the top variable is incremented, and when an element is popped, the top variable is decremented.

class Stack {
  constructor() {
    this.stack = [];
    this.top = -1;
  }

  push(element) {
    this.stack[++this.top] = element;
  }

  pop() {
    if (this.top === -1) return null;
    return this.stack[this.top--];
  }

  peek() {
    if (this.isEmpty()) return null;
    return this.top];
  }

  isEmpty() {
    return this.top === -1;
  }
}

Linked List Implementation:

In this implementation, a linked list data structure is used to represent the stack. Each node in the linked list contains a value and a reference to the next node. The top of the stack points to the first node in the linked list.

class Node {
  constructor(value) {
    this.value = value;
    this.next = null;
  }
}

class Stack {
  constructor() {
    this.top = null;
  }

  push(element) {
    const newNode = new Node(element);
    newNode.next = this.top;
    this.top = newNode;
  }

  pop() {
    if (!this.isEmpty()) {
      const removedNode = this.top;
      this.top = removedNode.next;
      return removedNode.value;
    }
    return null;
  }

  peek() {
    if (this.top.value;
  }

  isEmpty() {
    return this.top === null;
  }
}

Conclusion

A stack is a powerful data structure that follows the LIFO order. It is widely used in various computer science applications, such as expression evaluation, function call stack management, and more. Understanding the stack’s characteristics and how to implement it using different approaches can greatly enhance your problem-solving skills.

So the next time you encounter a problem that requires a Last In, First Out approach, consider using a stack data structure to simplify your solution.