DATA STRUCTURES PROGRAM • TREES & BINARY SEARCH TREES

Insert Values into a Binary Search Tree

Learn how to insert values into a binary search tree using a clear C program.

BeginnerBinary treeNodesRecursion

PROBLEM UNDERSTANDING

Input and expected output

Sample input
No input required
Sample output
20 30 40 50 60 70 80

COMPLETE C PROGRAM

Complete C implementation

dsa-bst-insert-inorder.c
Open in compiler
#include <stdio.h>
#include <stdlib.h>

struct TreeNode { int data; struct TreeNode *left; struct TreeNode *right; };
struct TreeNode *new_node(int value)
{
    struct TreeNode *node = malloc(sizeof *node);
    if (node == NULL) exit(EXIT_FAILURE);
    node->data = value; node->left = NULL; node->right = NULL;
    return node;
}
struct TreeNode *sample_tree(void)
{
    struct TreeNode *root = new_node(1);
    root->left = new_node(2); root->right = new_node(3);
    root->left->left = new_node(4); root->left->right = new_node(5);
    root->right->left = new_node(6); root->right->right = new_node(7);
    return root;
}
void free_tree(struct TreeNode *root)
{
    if (root == NULL) return;
    free_tree(root->left); free_tree(root->right); free(root);
}
struct TreeNode *bst_insert(struct TreeNode *root, int value)
{
    if (root == NULL) return new_node(value);
    if (value < root->data) root->left = bst_insert(root->left, value);
    else if (value > root->data) root->right = bst_insert(root->right, value);
    return root;
}
void inorder(struct TreeNode *root)
{
    if (root == NULL) return;
    inorder(root->left); printf("%d ", root->data); inorder(root->right);
}

int main(void)
{
    int values[] = {50, 30, 70, 20, 40, 60, 80};
    struct TreeNode *root = NULL;
    for (int index = 0; index < 7; index++) root = bst_insert(root, values[index]);
    inorder(root); putchar('\n');
    free_tree(root);
    return 0;
}

GUIDED CODE TOUR • NOT LIVE EXECUTION

Study the program line by line

Use the real compiler button above to run and debug with different inputs.

CURRENT STEP

Select Start to walk through the important lines.

SELECTED LINE

No line selected

EXPECTED OUTPUT FOR THE SAMPLE

20 30 40 50 60 70 80
0%Step 0 of 0

PROGRAM EXPLANATION

Algorithm and explanation

  1. Read the required input values.
  2. Recursively choose the left or right subtree according to the BST ordering rule.
  3. Display the computed result.

Recursively choose the left or right subtree according to the BST ordering rule.

EFFICIENCY

Time and space complexity

Time complexity

Average O(log n) per insertion

Auxiliary space

O(h)

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.