How can we sort a stack using recursion?

 



Whereas if we look at it from a technical perspective, you must have heard the word "stack" Quite a lot while dealing with different types of data and appropriately placing them. Are these two terms different? Yes!

A stack is a linear data structure used by the system to store data one after the other. Stack uses the LIFO approach for data storage and extraction. LIFO stands for last in first out. It means the element entering the last will leave the stack first. For example the crowd of people stacked in an elevator. 

One of the major concepts associated with stacks is the sorting of a stack. Can you imagine how inconvenient it will be if the stock at the grocery shop is not well categorized or sorted? 

Similarly, to access the data easily it is important to sort stack. In this piece, we will discuss how to sort the stack through recursion. The method is quite similar to the one used to reverse a stack using recursion. 

Before discussing this topic in detail, let's first understand what sorted stacks are. 

 

What is a sorted stack? 

A sorted stack is a stack in which the elements are arranged in a specific order based on different criteria and their address. 

Sorting of a stack enables the users to easily perform high-priority tasks, fetch middle elements easily, and perform various other maintenance tasks without additional time complexity. 

Sorting of the stack can be done through various processes and methods, however, the most efficient method of sorting a stack is through the method recursion due to various reasons. 

Before we discuss the process, let's understand the problem statement and how the problems are framed when it comes to technical interview rounds. 

 

Problem statement

The problem statement for this topic can be molded in several ways by the interviewers. However, the problem statement revolves around sorting a stack. 

It can be clearly stated that, given a stack, sort the stack through the recursion method. 

But, in various problem statements the statement is molded by the interviewers in the following form:

"You are given a stack with N number of elements in it. Generate a code using a function that calls itself repeatedly unless the stack is sorted completely. You can use a separate stack for sorting as well"

In the above-stated problem, it is mentioned that the function should be called again and again until the stack is sorted. This approach indicates that recursion is the method that must be used to resolve this problem. 

Such problem statements must be resolved through recursion methods only. However, if it is not mentioned or indicated, you can use the recursion method of sorting a stack for efficient and accurate results. 

Let's discuss the method of recursion to sort a stack efficiently and accurately. 

 

What is recursion? 

Recursion means calling itself multiple times until a certain condition is met. The method is simply based on the phenomenon of dividing the main problem into subproblems. 

In the recursion method, the function (here stack insertion() function) calls the copy of itself. The original stack will be divided into further smaller problems and each element will be checked with accuracy. 

While sorting a stack, this function is used to divide the stack into smaller parts and apply the operations on each element...


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