Introduction to Binary

Search Trees

Binary Search Trees (BSTs) are a fundamental data structure in computer

science, organizing data in a hierarchical manner to enable efficient searching,
insertion, and deletion operations.

by Krishna Sontakke
Definition and Properties
A Binary Search Tree (BST) is a hierarchical data structure where each node has at most two child nodes, known
as the left and right child. The key property of a BST is that the value of each node is greater than all the values in
its left subtree and less than all the values in its right subtree. This structure enables efficient searching, insertion,
and deletion operations.

The main properties of a BST include: ordered storage, logarithmic time complexity for common operations, and
self-balancing capabilities (in some variants like AVL and Red-Black trees). These features make BSTs highly
versatile and widely used in computer science applications.
Advantages of Binary Search
Trees
Efficient Searching: The ordered structure of a BST allows for logarithmic
time complexity for search operations, making them highly efficient for large
datasets.

Ordered Storage: The inherent ordering of nodes in a BST provides a

natural way to store and retrieve data in a sorted manner.
Flexible Implementations: BSTs can be self-balancing, which helps
maintain logarithmic time complexity even for unbalanced trees, making
them adaptable to various use cases.
Basic Operations: Insertion, Deletion, and
Searching
1 Insertion
When adding a new node to the BST, it is placed in the correct position based on its value,
maintaining the binary search tree property.

2 Deletion
Removing a node from the BST requires careful handling to preserve the tree's structure. This
may involve replacing the node, rearranging subtrees, or performing rotations.

3 Searching
Navigating the BST to find a specific value is an efficient process, thanks to the tree's ordered
structure. This enables logarithmic time complexity for search operations.
Time Complexity of BST Operations

The time complexity of the basic operations in a Binary Search Tree is logarithmic, or O(log n), where n is the
number of nodes in the tree. This is because the tree's structure allows the algorithm to effectively eliminate half of
the remaining nodes with each comparison, resulting in an efficient search, insertion, and deletion process.

The logarithmic time complexity holds true for balanced BSTs, such as AVL trees and Red-Black trees, which
maintain their structure even as elements are added or removed. This ensures that the tree remains efficient
regardless of the order in which data is inserted or deleted.
Implementing a Binary Search
Tree in Code
Translating the conceptual binary search tree into working code requires careful
consideration of data structures and algorithms. Developers must define the node
structure, implement insertion, deletion, and search functions, and handle edge
cases to ensure the tree remains balanced and efficient.

Common programming languages like C++, Java, and Python provide built-in
data structures and libraries that simplify the implementation process, allowing
developers to focus on the logic rather than low-level details.
Traversal Algorithms: In-order, Pre-order, and
Post-order
In-order Traversal Pre-order Post-order Traversal
Traversal Traversal Applications

Visits the left subtree, Visits the current node Visits the left subtree, These algorithms
then the current node, first, then the left then the right subtree, allow you to visit all
and finally the right subtree, and finally the and finally the current nodes in a binary
subtree. This results in right subtree. Useful node. Helpful for search tree in different
a sorted list of node for creating a prefix deleting nodes in a orders, enabling
values. expression. binary tree. various use cases like
expression evaluation,
file system navigation,
and more.
Balanced Binary Search Trees (e.g., AVL,
Red-Black)
Balanced BSTs
1 Maintain optimal structure

AVL Trees
2
Self-balancing via rotations

Red-Black Trees
3
Color-coded balancing rules

While basic binary search trees offer efficient operations, they can become unbalanced over time, leading to
degraded performance. Balanced binary search trees, such as AVL trees and Red-Black trees, actively maintain a
well-structured tree through rotation and coloring operations. This ensures logarithmic time complexity for all key
operations, even as the tree is modified.
Applications of Binary Search Trees

Database Indexing File System Compiler Algorithm Design

Navigation Optimization
BSTs are widely used to The hierarchical BSTs are employed in BSTs serve as building
index database tables, structure of BSTs compilers to represent blocks for more
enabling efficient search mirrors the organization and manipulate abstract complex data structures
and retrieval of records of files and directories, syntax trees, and algorithms, such as
based on key values. making them ideal for streamlining code self-balancing trees and
implementing file analysis and priority queues.
system APIs. transformation.
Thank you
We hope this presentation on Binary Search Trees has been informative and
helpful. Thank you for your time and attention. Please feel free to reach out if
you have any further questions or would like to discuss this topic in more detail.