Binary Search Tree
A Binary Search Tree (BST) is a hierarchical data structure where each node has at most two children, with the left subtree containing nodes with values less than the parent node and the right subtree containing nodes with values greater than the parent node. It enables efficient searching, insertion, and deletion operations, typically with an average time complexity of O(log n) for balanced trees. BSTs are fundamental in computer science for organizing sorted data and supporting dynamic set operations.
Developers should learn BSTs when implementing algorithms that require fast lookup, insertion, or deletion of sorted data, such as in database indexing, autocomplete features, or symbol tables in compilers. They are essential for understanding more advanced data structures like AVL trees or red-black trees, which build upon BST principles to maintain balance and ensure optimal performance in real-world applications.