Summary
In this chapter, we delved into the fundamental concept of queues and their versatile cousin, the deque. We crafted our own queue algorithm, mastering the art of adding (enqueue) and removing (dequeue) elements in a first-in, first-out (FIFO) manner. Exploring the deque, we discovered its flexibility in inserting and deleting elements from both ends, expanding the possibilities for creative solutions.
To solidify our understanding, we applied the knowledge to real-world scenarios. We simulated the classic Hot Potato game, leveraging a circular queue to model its cyclical nature. Additionally, we created a palindrome checker, demonstrating the deque's power in handling data from both directions. We also tackled a simulation challenge from LeetCode, reinforcing the practical applications of queues in problem-solving.
Now, with a firm grasp of these linear data structures (arrays, stacks, queues and deques), we are ready to venture into the dynamic world of linked lists in the...