Last In First Out
Last In First Out (LIFO) is a data structure principle where the last element added to a collection is the first one to be removed. It is commonly implemented using stacks, which support operations like push (add) and pop (remove). This concept is fundamental in computer science for managing data in scenarios like function call management, undo operations, and expression evaluation.
Developers should learn LIFO when working with algorithms that require reverse order processing or temporary data storage, such as in parsing expressions (e.g., using a stack for postfix notation), managing browser history (undo/redo features), or handling recursive function calls (call stack). It is essential for optimizing memory usage and ensuring correct program flow in these contexts.