ADVANCED DATA STRUCTURES PROGRAM • LEVEL 17 — ADVANCED HEAPS
Insert by Melding a Pairing Heap
Learn how to insert by melding a pairing heap using a clear C program.
PROBLEM UNDERSTANDING
Input and expected output
Sample input
No input required
Sample output
Minimum = 5
COMPLETE C PROGRAM
Complete C implementation
#include <stdio.h>
#include <stdlib.h>
struct Node{int key;struct Node*child,*sibling;};struct Node*new_node(int key){struct Node*n=calloc(1,sizeof*n);if(!n)exit(EXIT_FAILURE);n->key=key;return n;}struct Node*meld(struct Node*a,struct Node*b){if(!a)return b;if(!b)return a;if(a->key>b->key){struct Node*t=a;a=b;b=t;}b->sibling=a->child;a->child=b;return a;}void free_heap(struct Node*n){if(n){free_heap(n->child);free_heap(n->sibling);free(n);}}
int main(void)
{
int values[]={30,10,40,5,20};struct Node*root=NULL;for(int i=0;i<5;i++)root=meld(root,new_node(values[i]));printf("Minimum = %d\n",root->key);free_heap(root);return 0;
}CURRENT STEP
SELECTED LINE
EXPECTED OUTPUT FOR THE SAMPLE
Minimum = 5
Step 0 of 0
PROGRAM EXPLANATION
Algorithm and explanation
- Read the required input values.
- Attach the larger root beneath the smaller root; pairing during deletion restores structure.
- Display the computed result.
Attach the larger root beneath the smaller root; pairing during deletion restores structure.
EFFICIENCY
Time and space complexity
Time complexity
O(1) amortized insertion
Auxiliary space
O(n)
DEBUGGING CHECKLIST
Common mistakes
Check this
Use the correct format specifier for every variable.
Check this
Initialize variables before using their values.
Check this
Check braces, semicolons and input order carefully.
Try it yourself
Practice: Run the program with the sample input, predict its output, and then test one boundary case of your own.
