NIST

heap

(data structure)

Definition: A complete tree where every node has a key more extreme (greater or less) than or equal to the key of its parent. Usually understood to be a binary heap.

Generalization (I am a kind of ...)
complete tree.

Specialization (... is a kind of me.)
binary heap, k-ary heap, binomial heap, Fibonacci heap.

Aggregate parent (I am a part of or used in ...)
heapsort, priority queue.

Aggregate child (... is a part of or used in me.)
heap property.

Note: Speaking about operating systems, "heap" refers to memory from which chunks can be allocated.

Author: CLK

More information

J. W. J. Williams, Algorithm 232 Heapsort, CACM, 7(6):378-348, June 1964.


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Entry modified Wed Sep 22 08:57:26 2004.
HTML page formatted Wed Oct 26 09:47:36 2005.

Cite this as:
Chris L. Kuszmaul, "heap", from Dictionary of Algorithms and Data Structures, Paul E. Black, ed., NIST.
http://www.nist.gov/dads/HTML/heap.html

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