Java MCQ: What is the primary function of a Stack data structure?
Answer:
Explanation:
The primary function of a Stack data structure is to perform Last-In-First-Out (LIFO) operations. This means that the last element added to the stack will be the first one to be removed. The LIFO principle is crucial in scenarios where the most recent data or action needs to be accessed first. For instance, consider the undo functionality in text editors: the last action performed is the first one to be undone, which is an example of LIFO behavior.
Stacks are implemented using arrays or linked lists, and they support two main operations: push (to add an element) and pop (to remove an element). These operations are both performed at the top of the stack, which is the last element added. This data structure is commonly used in various applications such as expression evaluation, backtracking algorithms, and depth-first search (DFS) in graph traversal.
By adhering to the LIFO principle, stacks provide a simple yet powerful way to manage data where order and access are strictly controlled. This control is especially important in recursive function calls and in managing function call stacks, where the most recent function call must be completed before returning to the previous one.