DATA STRUCTURES PROGRAM • HEAPS, HASHING & DISJOINT SETS

Find the Kth-Largest Value with a Min-Heap

Learn how to find the kth-largest value with a min-heap using a clear C program.

IntermediateTop KMin-heapSelection

PROBLEM UNDERSTANDING

Input and expected output

Sample input
No input required
Sample output
3rd largest = 10

COMPLETE C PROGRAM

Complete C implementation

dsa-kth-largest-min-heap.c
Open in compiler
#include <stdio.h>

void sift_up(int heap[], int position)
{
    while (position > 0) {
        int parent = (position - 1) / 2;
        if (heap[parent] <= heap[position]) return;
        int temporary = heap[parent]; heap[parent] = heap[position]; heap[position] = temporary;
        position = parent;
    }
}
void sift_down(int heap[], int size, int position)
{
    while (1) {
        int smallest = position, left = 2 * position + 1, right = left + 1;
        if (left < size && heap[left] < heap[smallest]) smallest = left;
        if (right < size && heap[right] < heap[smallest]) smallest = right;
        if (smallest == position) return;
        int temporary = heap[position]; heap[position] = heap[smallest]; heap[smallest] = temporary;
        position = smallest;
    }
}

int main(void)
{
    int values[] = {7, 10, 4, 3, 20, 15};
    int heap[3], size = 0, k = 3;
    for (int index = 0; index < 6; index++) {
        if (size < k) {
            heap[size] = values[index];
            sift_up(heap, size++);
        } else if (values[index] > heap[0]) {
            heap[0] = values[index];
            sift_down(heap, size, 0);
        }
    }
    printf("3rd largest = %d\n", heap[0]);
    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

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EXPECTED OUTPUT FOR THE SAMPLE

3rd largest = 10
0%Step 0 of 0

PROGRAM EXPLANATION

Algorithm and explanation

  1. Read the required input values.
  2. Keep only the k largest values; the smallest retained value is the kth largest.
  3. Display the computed result.

Keep only the k largest values; the smallest retained value is the kth largest.

EFFICIENCY

Time and space complexity

Time complexity

O(n log k)

Auxiliary space

O(k)

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.