ChoralSoft Learn
Stacks and queues, side by side
Last in, first out versus first in, first out, and why the difference matters.
Add and remove, two different ways
A stack gives back the newest item first (like plates). A queue gives back the oldest first (like a line at a shop). Add the same items to both, then remove one and compare.
Stack (last in, first out)
empty
Next out: –
Queue (first in, first out)
empty
Next out: –
Add a few items, then remove one.
Stacks power undo, back buttons and depth-first search. Queues power print jobs and breadth-first search. See both in the maze.
