We’re going to implement a min-heap in Python. Min-heaps efficiently keep track of the minimum value in a dataset, even as we add and remove elements.
Min-heaps are nearly identical to a max-heap, just with the comparisons reversed. It’s a two for one lesson!
Heaps enable solutions for complex problems such as finding the shortest path (Dijkstra’s Algorithm) or efficiently sorting a dataset (heapsort).
They’re an essential tool for confidently navigating some of the difficult questions posed in a technical interview.
By understanding the operations of a heap, you will have made a valuable addition to your problem-solving toolkit.
Instructions
The code in script.py creates a min-heap one element at a time from a random collection of numbers.
Run the code a few times to see the min-heap operations printed to the screen.
Click “Next” when you’re ready to get started!