[Python-Dev] Priority queue (binary heap) python code

[Kevin O'Connor]

On Tue, Jun 25, 2002 at 02:52:03AM -0400, Oren Tirosh wrote:
> > Any chance something like this could make it into the standard python
> > library?  It would save a lot of time for lazy people like myself.  :-)
> 
> A sorted list is a much more general-purpose data structure than a priority
> queue and can be used to implement a priority queue. It offers almost the same 
> asymptotic performance:

Hi Oren,

I agree that some form of a balanced tree object would be more useful, but
unfortunately it doesn't exist natively.  A pure python implementation of
heaps is a pretty straight-forward addition.

If, however, one were to consider adding C code then I would agree a tree
object would be more valuable.  As you surmised later, I wouldn't have
bothered with a heap if trees were available.

In fact, I've always wondered why Python dictionaries use the hash
algorithm instead of the more general binary tree algorithm.  :-}

-Kevin

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