Differences

This shows you the differences between two versions of the page.

--- notes:data:fall2023:projects:waq0 [2023/11/08 23:49] – [Function to initialize Queue] wgates1
+++ notes:data:fall2023:projects:waq0 [2023/11/16 01:20] (current) – [Shuffling the Queue] cfoster8
@@ Line 37: / Line 37: @@
 ====Function to Enqueue and Explanation====
+Enqueue is when you add an element to the back of a queue. In comparison when you add to a stack you are adding to the top.
+Here is an example of what your enqueue function could look like:
+<code C>
+// Function to enqueue a card to the end of a queue
+void enqueue(queue* q, cardnode* card)
+{
+    card->next = NULL; // Sets next pointer to null
+    // If the queue is empty then both front and rear are set to card
+    if (q->front == NULL)
+    {
+        q->front = q->rear = card;
+    }
+    // If the queue is not empty then add new card to rear of queue
+    else
+    {
+        q->rear->next = card;
+        q->rear = card;
+    }
+    q->size++; // Increase queue size
+}
+</code>
+Do NOT forget to "sanitize" the card before pushing it to the queue, disconnect it from the deck it was in to avoid ->next or ->prev issues later on
+There are a couple of things to note about this example. First off, it is based on the previous struct in the section "Queue Struct". Secondly, it uses a cardnode struct.
+This function would come in handy in a card game like War. In War, two players show their cards and whoever has a higher card wins that hand. So when making this game, enqueue would be used to add the other player's card into your hand if you won and vice versa if you lost.
+====Shuffling the Queue====
+You can't shuffle a queue from within the queue itself, you would need to pop every item off of it, shuffle that, and then push them all back. It's not too bad, but it may seem counter-intuitive.
+You need a loop to pull everything out of the queue, and then a shuffle function in the middle to shuffle the list you made out of the queue, and finally another loop to push it all back into the queue.
+Pseudo-code of it looks like so:
+    while(queue-is-not-empty){
+        pop(queue);
+    }
+    shuffle_deck();
+    while(deck-is-not-empty){
+        push(queue);
+    }
+====real-world applications of queues====
+In real-world applications, queues play a crucial role in managing tasks and resources. One prominent example is printer spooling. Printers have much less memory than you might think, and in a busy office environment, multiple users may send print jobs to a shared printer simultaneously. The printer spooler uses a queue to manage these print jobs, ensuring that they are processed in the order they are received. This prevents conflicts and ensures a fair and orderly distribution of printing tasks. The queue structure allows for a smooth and efficient printing process, eliminating the need for users to wait physically by the printer for their turn and promoting a seamless workflow in a shared computing environment. The versatility of the queue data structure extends beyond printer spooling, finding applications in diverse areas such as task scheduling, network management, and process control, where orderly and timely execution of tasks is essential for system efficiency.
+In networking, particularly in the realm of routers, queues are pivotal for managing and prioritizing data packets as they traverse the network. Routers employ queues to temporarily hold incoming packets before forwarding them to their destination. This helps ensure that packets are processed in the order they are received, preventing data congestion and maintaining the integrity of the transmitted information. Additionally, queues play a crucial role in implementing Quality of Service (QoS) mechanisms, allowing routers to prioritize certain types of traffic over others. For instance, in video conferencing or voice call applications, queues can be configured to prioritize real-time communication packets, ensuring low latency and a seamless user experience. The queue data structure is also vital for addressing network congestion. When multiple data packets arrive at a router simultaneously, queues assist in organizing and managing the flow of information.

Lab46 Wiki

User Tools

Site Tools

Differences

Page Tools