Which data structure is a self-balancing tree that maintains sorted data and supports efficient insertion, deletion, and search operations?

Boost your GATE General Aptitude and CS Exam readiness with our dynamic quiz. Test your skills with comprehensive questions featuring hints and detailed solutions. Ace your GATE exam confidently!

Multiple Choice

Which data structure is a self-balancing tree that maintains sorted data and supports efficient insertion, deletion, and search operations?

Explanation:
A B+ tree is a balanced multi-way tree designed for keeping data sorted while offering fast insertion, deletion, and search, especially for large datasets stored on disk. In a B+ tree, internal nodes guide the search, and the actual data records live in the leaves, with all leaves linked together. This layout keeps the tree height small (high fan-out), so each operation touches only a few levels, giving O(log n) efficiency. The leaves being linked makes range queries and scans particularly fast, which is a big advantage for databases and file systems. While other self-balancing trees like AVL or Red-Black ensure balanced height in binary form, the B+ tree’s multi-way structure and leaf-linking make it especially well-suited for sorted data with frequent insertions, deletions, and searches in large, disk-based datasets.

A B+ tree is a balanced multi-way tree designed for keeping data sorted while offering fast insertion, deletion, and search, especially for large datasets stored on disk. In a B+ tree, internal nodes guide the search, and the actual data records live in the leaves, with all leaves linked together. This layout keeps the tree height small (high fan-out), so each operation touches only a few levels, giving O(log n) efficiency. The leaves being linked makes range queries and scans particularly fast, which is a big advantage for databases and file systems. While other self-balancing trees like AVL or Red-Black ensure balanced height in binary form, the B+ tree’s multi-way structure and leaf-linking make it especially well-suited for sorted data with frequent insertions, deletions, and searches in large, disk-based datasets.

Subscribe

Get the latest from Examzify

You can unsubscribe at any time. Read our privacy policy