Min Heap Vs. Max Heap: Explore the difference between Min Heap and Max Heap
In computer science, a heap is like a tree-based data structure that provides admittance to the minimum and maximum component in the tree in fixed time. There are two types of heaps: Min-heap and Max-heap. As the name implies, the min-heap is used to obtain the minimum component in the heap, on the other hand, the max-heap is used to access the maximum component in the heap. Let’s analyze more differences between min-heap and max-heap.
What is Min Heap?
In the case of min-heap, the root or parent node is generally lesser in value as compared to the children nodes. Also, in Min-heap, the root always contains the minimum key element.
What is Max Heap?
In the case of Max-Heap, the root or parent node is generally greater as compared to the children nodes. Unlike the min-heap, the root contains the maximum key element.
Difference between Min Heap and Max Heap
S.No. |
Min Heap |
Max Heap |
1. |
In the case of min-heap, the root or parent node is generally lesser in value as compared to the children nodes. |
In the case of Max-Heap, the root or parent node is generally greater as compared to the children nodes. Unlike the min-heap, the root contains the maximum key element. |
2. |
In Min-heap, the root always contains the minimum key element. |
In Max-heap, the root always contains the maximum key element. |
3. |
The smallest component counts as priority while constructing a Min-heap. |
The largest component counts as priority while constructing a Max-heap. |
4. |
Here the smallest component jumped first from the heap. |
Here the largest component jumped first from the heap. |
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