13. Heaps

In This Chapter

Introduction to Heaps

The Heap Visualization Tool

Python Code for Heaps

A Tree-Based Heap

Heapsort

Order Statistics

Keeping items in priority order is useful in many contexts. At school and at work, we all deal with numerous tasks with various deadlines. Typically, the nearest deadlines get the highest priority. Sometimes, the importance of the task or the severity of not completing it outweighs a later deadline, so you move it up in priority and work it before tasks with shorter deadlines. When doctors and nurses triage patients arriving at a medical facility, they weigh decisions about the severity of the injury or illness and how long the patient can wait before treatment must start.

One characteristic ...

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