Insertion
Insertion refers to the process of adding a new element or node to a data structure. In the context of various data structures, the specifics of the insertion process can vary widely. For example, in an array, insertion might involve adding an element at a specific index, potentially requiring the shifting of subsequent elements to maintain order. In a linked list, insertion could be more straightforward, involving only the adjustment of pointers to include the new node at the desired position, whether it be at the beginning, middle, or end of the list.
In more complex structures like binary search trees or hash tables, insertion involves placing the new element in a position that maintains the structural and operational properties of the data structure. For binary search trees, this means maintaining the property where all left descendents are less than the node, and right descendents are greater. In hash tables, insertion involves computing the element's hash code to determine its position in the table, handling collisions as necessary. The efficiency of insertion operations can significantly impact the performance of data-intensive applications, making the choice of data structure and its implementation critical.