Which of the following data structures is most suitable

Solution

A Heap is the most suitable data structure for implementing a priority queue due to its efficient performance in both insertion and deletion operations based on priority. Specifically, a binary heap provides an O(log n) time complexity for insertion and deletion, allowing a priority queue to keep elements sorted by priority efficiently. In a min-heap, for instance, the smallest element is always at the root, facilitating constant-time access for the highest-priority element. This structure ensures that elements with higher priority can be quickly removed or accessed without the need to sort the entire queue, as would be required in a list or array. The inherent properties of a heap make it an ideal choice for applications like task scheduling, where operations need to be ordered based on urgency or importance. Option A (Array) - Arrays do not inherently support efficient insertion or deletion based on priority and require O(n) time to find the minimum or maximum element. Option B (Linked List) - Although linked lists can be modified to hold priority values, they do not provide efficient searching, insertion, and deletion operations required for a priority queue. Option C (Stack) - Stacks follow the Last-In-First-Out (LIFO) order, which is not suitable for priority-based access as they do not maintain elements in priority order. Option E (Queue) - Queues operate on a First-In-First-Out (FIFO) principle, which does not support priority management, making them unsuitable for priority queues.