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.
PROBLEM UNDERSTANDING
Input and expected output
Sample input
No input required
Sample output
Valid BST.
COMPLETE C PROGRAM
Complete C implementation
#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;
}CURRENT STEP
SELECTED LINE
EXPECTED OUTPUT FOR THE SAMPLE
Valid BST.
Step 0 of 0
PROGRAM EXPLANATION
Algorithm and explanation
- Read the required input values.
- Carry the valid value range downward instead of checking only each direct child.
- 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.
