How do I implement a circular queue in TypeScript?
A circular queue is a type of queue where the end connects back to the front. In TypeScript, you can implement it using an array with pointers to the front and rear elements.
A circular queue, also known as a ring buffer, is a variation of the standard queue where the end of the queue is connected to the front, making it a circular structure. This allows for efficient use of memory by reusing the empty spaces created after elements are dequeued. In TypeScript, you can implement a circular queue using an array and two pointers, front
and rear
, which track the positions of the first and last elements in the queue. When the rear
pointer reaches the end of the array, it wraps around to the beginning, as long as there is space available. Circular queues are particularly useful in applications where memory needs to be reused, such as in buffering streams of data (like audio or video streams), task scheduling in operating systems, or managing resources in a fixed-size pool. By understanding how to implement and optimize circular queues, you can efficiently handle scenarios that require a continuous flow of data, avoiding the need for dynamic resizing and minimizing memory usage.