BCA / B.Tech 11 min read

Queue Algorithms

Queue Algorithms in Data Structures:


The algorithms for a queue are simple and powerful. The main principle of a queue is FIFO (First In, First Out), and it is used in various problems where sequential processing is required. Operations like Enqueue, Dequeue, Front, Rear, Is-Empty, and Is-Full help us to operate this data structure effectively.

A Queue is an important data structure based on the FIFO (First In, First Out) principle. This means that the item that is put into the queue first is the first one to be taken out. Queues are used to solve various types of problems, such as printer job queues, CPU process scheduling, network packet processing, etc.

The main operations for a queue are:

  • Enqueue: Adding a new element to the rear of the queue.
  • Dequeue: Removing an element from the front of the queue.
  • Front: Viewing the first element of the queue.
  • Rear: Viewing the last element of the queue.
  • Is-Empty: Checking if the queue is empty.
  • Is-Full: Checking if the queue is full.

Operations of a Queue in Data Structures:

1. Enqueue Operation:

The enqueue operation is used to add a new element to the rear of the queue. If space is available in the queue, the new element is added.

Algorithm:
  • First, check if the queue is full (overflow).
  • If the queue is full, display a queue overflow error.
  • Otherwise, increment the rear by one position and insert the new element at the rear of the queue.

2. Dequeue Operation:

The dequeue operation is used to remove an element from the front of the queue. It removes the first element of the queue, as the queue follows the FIFO principle.

Algorithm:
  • First, check if the queue is empty (underflow).
  • If the queue is empty, display a queue underflow error.
  • Otherwise, the first element (front) of the queue is removed.
  • If the front and rear become the same, declare the queue empty (set front and rear to -1).

3. Front Operation:

The front operation is used to view the first element of the queue without removing it. This operation returns the front element of the queue.

4. Rear Operation:

The rear operation is used to view the last element of the queue without removing it. This operation returns the rear element of the queue.

5. Is-Empty Operation:

The is-empty operation is used to check whether the queue is empty or not. If `front == -1`, the queue is empty.

6. Is-Full Operation:

The is-full operation is used to check whether the queue is full or not. This is useful when the queue has a fixed size limit. If `rear == MAX-1`, the queue is full.