LIFO (Last-In, First-Out) and FIFO (First-In, First-Out) are fundamental concepts in data structures and inventory management. They define the order in which items are processed or removed from a collection. Understanding these principles is crucial for efficient data handling and resource management.
FIFO
- FIFO dictates that the first item added to a collection is the first item to be removed.
- This method simulates a real-world queue, where items are processed in the order they arrive.
Applications
- Queues (Data Structures):
- FIFO is the core principle behind queue data structures.
- Used for scheduling tasks, handling requests, and managing data streams.
- Networking:
- Packet transmission often follows FIFO to maintain the order of data packets.
LIFO
- LIFO dictates that the last item added to a collection is the first item to be removed.
- This method simulates a stack, where the most recent items are accessed first.
Applications
- Stacks (Data Structures):
- LIFO is the core principle behind stack data structures.
- Used in function call stacks and expression evaluation.
- Undo/Redo Operations:
- Applications use LIFO to reverse actions in the order they were performed.