QUEUE DATASTRUCTURE

Queue is an abstract data structure, somewhat similar to Stacks. Unlike stacks, a

queue is open at both its ends. One end is always used to insert data (enqueue) and
the other is used to remove data (dequeue). Queue follows First-In-First-Out
methodology, i.e., the data item stored first will be accessed first.

A real-world example of queue can be a single-lane one-way road, where the vehicle
enters first, exits first. More real-world examples can be seen as queues at the ticket
windows and bus-stops.

Queue Representation
As we now understand that in queue, we access both ends for different reasons. The
following diagram given below tries to explain queue representation as data structure
−

As in stacks, a queue can also be implemented using Arrays, Linked-lists, Pointers

and Structures. For the sake of simplicity, we shall implement queues using one-
dimensional array.

Basic Operations
Queue operations may involve initializing or defining the queue, utilizing it, and then
completely erasing it from the memory. Here we shall try to understand the basic
operations associated with queues −
 enqueue() − add (store) an item to the queue.
 dequeue() − remove (access) an item from the queue.
Few more functions are required to make the above-mentioned queue operation
efficient. These are −
 peek() − Gets the element at the front of the queue without removing it.
 isfull() − Checks if the queue is full.
  isempty() − Checks if the queue is empty.
In queue, we always dequeue (or access) data, pointed by front pointer and while
enqueing (or storing) data in the queue we take help of rear pointer.
Let's first learn about supportive functions of a queue −

peek()

This function helps to see the data at the front of the queue. The algorithm of peek()
function is as follows −
Algorithm
begin procedure peek
return queue[front]
end procedure
Implementation of peek() function in C programming language −
Example
int peek() {
return queue[front];
}

isfull()

As we are using single dimension array to implement queue, we just check for the
rear pointer to reach at MAXSIZE to determine that the queue is full. In case we
maintain the queue in a circular linked-list, the algorithm will differ. Algorithm of isfull()
function −
Algorithm
begin procedure isfull

if rear equals to MAXSIZE

return true
else
return false
endif

end procedure
Implementation of isfull() function in C programming language −
Example
bool isfull() {
if(rear == MAXSIZE - 1)
return true;
else
return false;
}
isempty()

Algorithm of isempty() function −

Algorithm
begin procedure isempty

if front is less than MIN OR front is greater than rear

return true
else
return false
endif

end procedure
If the value of front is less than MIN or 0, it tells that the queue is not yet initialized,
hence empty.
Here's the C programming code −
Example
bool isempty() {
if(front < 0 || front > rear)
return true;
else
return false;
}

Enqueue Operation
Queues maintain two data pointers, front and rear. Therefore, its operations are
comparatively difficult to implement than that of stacks.
The following steps should be taken to enqueue (insert) data into a queue −
 Step 1 − Check if the queue is full.
 Step 2 − If the queue is full, produce overflow error and exit.
 Step 3 − If the queue is not full, increment rear pointer to point the next empty
space.
 Step 4 − Add data element to the queue location, where the rear is pointing.
 Step 5 − return success.
Sometimes, we also check to see if a queue is initialized or not, to handle any
unforeseen situations.

Algorithm for enqueue operation

procedure enqueue(data)

if queue is full
return overflow
endif

rear ← rear + 1
queue[rear] ← data
return true

end procedure
Implementation of enqueue() in C programming language −
Example
int enqueue(int data)
if(isfull())
return 0;

rear = rear + 1;
queue[rear] = data;

return 1;
end procedure

Dequeue Operation
Accessing data from the queue is a process of two tasks − access the data
where front is pointing and remove the data after access. The following steps are
taken to perform dequeue operation −
 Step 1 − Check if the queue is empty.
 Step 2 − If the queue is empty, produce underflow error and exit.
 Step 3 − If the queue is not empty, access the data where front is pointing.
 Step 4 − Increment front pointer to point to the next available data element.
 Step 5 − Return success.

Algorithm for dequeue operation

procedure dequeue

if queue is empty
return underflow
end if

data = queue[front]
front ← front + 1
return true

end procedure
Implementation of dequeue() in C programming language −
Example
int dequeue() {
if(isempty())
return 0;
 int data = queue[front];
front = front + 1;

return data;
}

QUEUE DATA STRUCTURE MCQ

1. A linear list of elements in which deletion can be done from one end (front) and
insertion can take place only at the other end (rear) is known as _____________
a) Queue
b) Stack
c) Tree
d) Linked list
View Answer
Answer: a
Explanation: Linear list of elements in which deletion is done at front side and insertion
at rear side is called Queue. In stack we will delete the last entered element first.
2. The data structure required for Breadth First Traversal on a graph is?
a) Stack
b) Array
c) Queue
d) Tree
View Answer
Answer: c
Explanation: In Breadth First Search Traversal, BFS, starting vertex is first taken and
adjacent vertices which are unvisited are also taken. Again, the first vertex which was
added as an unvisited adjacent vertex list will be considered to add further unvisited
vertices of the graph. To get the first unvisited vertex we need to follows First In First Out
principle. Queue uses FIFO principle.
3. A queue follows __________
a) FIFO (First In First Out) principle
b) LIFO (Last In First Out) principle
c) Ordered array
d) Linear tree
View Answer
Answer: a
Explanation: Element first added in queue will be deleted first which is FIFO principle.
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4. Circular Queue is also known as ________

a) Ring Buffer
b) Square Buffer
c) Rectangle Buffer
d) Curve Buffer
View Answer
Answer: a
Explanation: Circular Queue is also called as Ring Buffer. Circular Queue is a linear data
structure in which last position is connected back to the first position to make a circle. It
forms a ring structure.
5. If the elements “A”, “B”, “C” and “D” are placed in a queue and are deleted one at a
time, in what order will they be removed?
a) ABCD
b) DCBA
c) DCAB
d) ABDC
View Answer
Answer: a
Explanation: Queue follows FIFO approach. i.e. First in First Out Approach. So, the
order of removal elements are ABCD.
6. A data structure in which elements can be inserted or deleted at/from both ends but
not in the middle is?
a) Queue
b) Circular queue
c) Dequeue
d) Priority queue
View Answer
Answer: c
Explanation: In dequeuer, we can insert or delete elements from both the ends. In
queue, we will follow first in first out principle for insertion and deletion of elements.
Element with least priority will be deleted in a priority queue.
7. A normal queue, if implemented using an array of size MAX_SIZE, gets full when?
a) Rear = MAX_SIZE – 1
b) Front = (rear + 1)mod MAX_SIZE
c) Front = rear + 1
d) Rear = front
View Answer
Answer: a
Explanation: When Rear = MAX_SIZE – 1, there will be no space left for the elements to
be added in queue. Thus queue becomes full.
8. Queues serve major role in ______________
a) Simulation of recursion
b) Simulation of arbitrary linked list
c) Simulation of limited resource allocation
d) Simulation of heap sort
View Answer
Answer: c
Explanation: Simulation of recursion uses stack data structure. Simulation of arbitrary
linked lists uses linked lists. Simulation of resource allocation uses queue as first entered
data needs to be given first priority during resource allocation. Simulation of heap sort
uses heap data structure.
9. Which of the following is not the type of queue?
a) Ordinary queue
b) Single ended queue
c) Circular queue
d) Priority queue
View Answer
Answer: b
Explanation: Queue always has two ends. So, single ended queue is not the type of
queue.