While evaluating a postfix expression, what should be done when an operator is encountered?

Options

  • A. Push the operator onto the output stack without processing
  • B. Pop the required operands, perform the operation, and push the result
  • C. Ignore the operator
  • D. More than one of the above
  • E. None of the above

Correct Answer (Detailed Explanation is Below)

B. Pop the required operands, perform the operation, and push the result

Detailed Explanation

During postfix evaluation, operands are pushed onto a stack. When a binary operator is encountered, two operands are popped from the stack. The second popped operand is the left operand and the first popped operand is the right operand. The operation is then performed and its result is pushed back onto the stack. This process continues until the expression ends. A valid postfix expression should leave exactly one final result on the stack.