Verifying Sequence of Push/Pop Ops in a Stack

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SUMMARY

The discussion focuses on verifying the validity of two sequences of numbers printed from a stack after executing a series of push and pop operations. The first sequence, 2 5 6 7 4 8 9 3 1 0, can be printed using a specific sequence of push and pop operations. In contrast, the second sequence, 4 6 8 7 5 3 2 9 0 1, cannot be printed due to the Last In, First Out (LIFO) nature of stack operations, which prevents popping the number 0 after 1 has been pushed. The discussion concludes with a confirmation of the operations required for the valid sequence and an acknowledgment of a minor omission in the explanation.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of stack data structure and its operations (push and pop)
  • Knowledge of Last In, First Out (LIFO) principle
  • Basic familiarity with algorithmic problem-solving techniques
  • Ability to trace sequences of operations in data structures
NEXT STEPS
  • Study stack implementation in programming languages such as Python or Java
  • Learn about algorithmic complexity related to stack operations
  • Explore variations of stack problems, such as validating parentheses or evaluating postfix expressions
  • Investigate advanced data structures like queues and their operations
USEFUL FOR

Computer science students, software developers, and anyone interested in understanding stack operations and their applications in algorithm design.

evinda
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Hello! (Smirk)

Consider that a sequence of 10 push and 10 pop operations is executed at an initially empty stack.
The ten push operations place the numbers $0,1, \dots, 9 $, in an ascending order, in the stack.
It is possible, that between the push operations we can have some pop operations. Each pop() operation prints the value, that is returns.

Which of the following sequence of numbers cannot be printed? For the sequences, that are valid, present the sequence push() and pop() that has to be done, and for the others justify why they cannot be printed.

  • $2 5 6 7 4 8 9 3 1 0$
  • $4 6 8 7 5 3 2 9 0 1$

That's what I have tried:

  • We push in the stack $0$, $1$, $2$, we pop $2$, we push $3$, $4$, $5$, we pop $5$, we push $6$, we pop $6$, we push $7$, we pop $7$, we pop $4$, we push $8$, we pop $8$, we push $9$, we pop $9$, we pop $1$, we pop $0$.

    So, the sequence $2 5 6 7 4 8 9 3 1 0$ can be printed.
    $$$$
  • We push in the stack $0$, $1$, $2$, $3$, $4$, we pop $4$, we push $5$, $6$, we pop $6$, we push $7$, $8$, we pop $8$, we pop $7$, $5$, $3$, $2$, we push $9$, we pop $9$, but, then, we cannot pop $0$, because of the fact that $1$ was put after $0$ and the method that we use to push/pop elements is LIFO.

    So, the second sequence is not valid.

Am I right? (Thinking)
 
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evinda said:
Hello! (Smirk)

Consider that a sequence of 10 push and 10 pop operations is executed at an initially empty stack.
The ten push operations place the numbers $0,1, \dots, 9 $, in an ascending order, in the stack.
It is possible, that between the push operations we can have some pop operations. Each pop() operation prints the value, that is returns.

Which of the following sequence of numbers cannot be printed? For the sequences, that are valid, present the sequence push() and pop() that has to be done, and for the others justify why they cannot be printed.

  • $2 5 6 7 4 8 9 3 1 0$
  • $4 6 8 7 5 3 2 9 0 1$

That's what I have tried:

  • We push in the stack $0$, $1$, $2$, we pop $2$, we push $3$, $4$, $5$, we pop $5$, we push $6$, we pop $6$, we push $7$, we pop $7$, we pop $4$, we push $8$, we pop $8$, we push $9$, we pop $9$, we pop $1$, we pop $0$.

    So, the sequence $2 5 6 7 4 8 9 3 1 0$ can be printed.
    $$$$
  • We push in the stack $0$, $1$, $2$, $3$, $4$, we pop $4$, we push $5$, $6$, we pop $6$, we push $7$, $8$, we pop $8$, we pop $7$, $5$, $3$, $2$, we push $9$, we pop $9$, but, then, we cannot pop $0$, because of the fact that $1$ was put after $0$ and the method that we use to push/pop elements is LIFO.

    So, the second sequence is not valid.

Am I right? (Thinking)
Sounds good to me, except that in explaining the first sequence you omitted to say "pop 3" after "pop 9".
 
Opalg said:
Sounds good to me, except that in explaining the first sequence you omitted to say "pop 3" after "pop 9".

Oh yes, I am sorry... (Blush) Thanks a lot! (Smile)
 

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