Stack Applications

Overview

Stacks are used in many real-world applications where you need to reverse an order or undo recent actions. The LIFO principle makes stacks perfect for problems that require working with the most recent item first.

Undo/Redo Systems

Text editors and graphic design programs use stacks to implement undo and redo features. Each action you perform is pushed onto a stack. When you press undo, the most recent action is popped from the stack and reversed.

Expression Evaluation

Stacks help computers evaluate mathematical expressions. They convert infix notation (like 2 + 3) into postfix or prefix form, then use a stack to process operators in the correct order. This ensures parentheses and operator precedence are handled correctly.

Function Call Management

When a program calls a function, the computer uses a call stack to remember where to return. Each function call pushes its return address onto the stack. When the function finishes, it pops the address and returns control to that location.

Backtracking Algorithms

Problems like finding paths in mazes or solving puzzles use stacks for backtracking. The stack stores the current path. When you reach a dead end, you pop back to the previous decision point and try a different direction.