Which data structure is primarily used to represent hierarchical relationships?

Options

  • A. Stack
  • B. Queue
  • C. Tree
  • D. More than one of the above
  • E. None of the above

Correct Answer (Detailed Explanation is Below)

C. Tree

Detailed Explanation

Tree data structures are especially suitable for representing hierarchical relationships. A tree starts with a root node and may contain parent-child relationships at different levels. Examples include file-system directories, organization charts, XML/HTML document structures, and expression trees. Important concepts include root, internal node, leaf node, ancestor, descendant, depth, and height. A binary tree restricts each node to at most two children.