DATA STRUCTURES PROGRAM • TREES & BINARY SEARCH TREES

Validate a Binary Search Tree

Learn how to validate a binary search tree using a clear C program.

AdvancedBinary treeNodesRecursion

PROBLEM UNDERSTANDING

Input and expected output

Sample input
No input required
Sample output
Valid BST.

COMPLETE C PROGRAM

Complete C implementation

dsa-validate-binary-search-tree.c
Open in compiler
#include <stdio.h>
#include <stdlib.h>
#include <limits.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 valid_bst(struct TreeNode *root, long long minimum, long long maximum)
{
    if (root == NULL) return 1;
    if (root->data <= minimum || root->data >= maximum) return 0;
    return valid_bst(root->left, minimum, root->data) &&
           valid_bst(root->right, root->data, maximum);
}

int main(void)
{
    struct TreeNode *root = NULL;
    int values[] = {50, 30, 70, 20, 40, 60, 80};
    for (int index = 0; index < 7; index++) root = bst_insert(root, values[index]);
    puts(valid_bst(root, LLONG_MIN, LLONG_MAX) ? "Valid BST." : "Invalid BST.");
    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

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EXPECTED OUTPUT FOR THE SAMPLE

Valid BST.
0%Step 0 of 0

PROGRAM EXPLANATION

Algorithm and explanation

  1. Read the required input values.
  2. Carry the valid value range downward instead of checking only each direct child.
  3. Display the computed result.

Carry the valid value range downward instead of checking only each direct child.

EFFICIENCY

Time and space complexity

Time complexity

O(n)

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.