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traffic systems, and manufacturing processes.
6.6 Limitations of Queues
Despite their usefulness, queues have limitations. Array-based queues suffer from
fixed size and wasted space unless implemented as circular queues. Linked list-based queues
avoid this but require extra memory for pointers. Another limitation is restricted access: only
the front element can be accessed directly, which makes queues unsuitable for problems
requiring random access. Additionally, managing priority queues can be complex, as
maintaining order requires extra computation. These constraints mean queues are best
applied in scenarios where sequential processing is required.
6.7 Summary
In this chapter, we studied queues as a linear data structure governed by the FIFO
principle. We explored their fundamental operations—enqueue, dequeue, peek, and
condition checks—and examined implementations using arrays and linked lists. We discussed
variations such as circular queues, deques, and priority queues, each designed to address
specific limitations or provide additional flexibility. Finally, we highlighted their applications
in scheduling, graph traversal, and resource management, while also noting their limitations.
Queues provide a powerful model for orderly processing, but their restricted access and
memory overhead must be considered when selecting them for a problem.
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