Summary

In this chapter, we explored the key concepts and applications of non-linear data structures, which are essential for designing efficient algorithms. We began by discussing the general properties of non-linear structures, highlighting how they differ from linear data structures in terms of organization and access patterns. Two major categories were covered in detail: graphs and trees. Graphs were presented as versatile structures for modeling relationships, while trees provided a more hierarchical organization of data. We examined different types of trees, such as BSTs, discussing their properties, operations, and use cases in algorithm design.

The chapter concluded by focusing on heaps, a special form of binary tree that is commonly used in priority queues and sorting algorithms such as heapsort. We covered how heaps are constructed, how the heap property is maintained through insertion, deletion, and heapify operations, and the role heaps play in sorting. Overall, this...