Stack Applications
Stacks have many practical applications beyond simple data storage. Understanding these applications helps you recognize when to use a stack.
1. Function Call Stack (Recursion)
When a function calls another, the current state is pushed onto the call stack. When the called function returns, the previous state is popped. This is why recursion uses stack memory.
2. Undo/Redo Feature
Each action is pushed onto an undo stack. Undo pops the last action and pushes it onto a redo stack. Redo pops from redo and pushes back to undo.
3. Backtracking Algorithms
Depth-first search uses a stack (implicitly via recursion or explicitly). When exploring a path, the current state is pushed; if it leads to dead end, we backtrack by popping.
4. Expression Evaluation
Stacks are used to evaluate arithmetic expressions (infix, postfix, prefix). Compilers convert infix to postfix using the shunting-yard algorithm, which uses a stack.
5. Browser History
Forward/backward navigation: visiting a new page pushes onto a stack. Back button pops the current page and pushes it onto a forward stack.
Two Minute Drill
- Function call stack powers recursion.
- Undo/redo: push actions, pop to undo, re-push to redo.
- Backtracking uses stack to explore paths.
- Expression evaluation and syntax parsing.
- Browser history: two stacks (back, forward).
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