Enqueue Operation in DSA C - Cheat Sheet & Quick Revision

Recall & Review

beginner

What does the enqueue operation do in a queue?

It adds a new element to the end (rear) of the queue, following the First-In-First-Out (FIFO) principle.

intermediate

In a queue implemented using an array, what happens when the rear index reaches the maximum size?

The queue is considered full, and no more elements can be added unless some are dequeued or the queue is reset (circular queue can help here).

beginner

What is the time complexity of the enqueue operation in a queue?

The time complexity is O(1) because adding an element at the rear is a constant-time operation.

intermediate

Show the basic steps of enqueue operation in a linked list based queue.

1. Create a new node with the data.
2. Set the next pointer of the current rear node to the new node.
3. Update the rear pointer to the new node.
4. If the queue was empty, set front pointer to the new node too.

beginner

What error condition should be checked before enqueueing in a fixed-size queue?

Check if the queue is full (rear index is at max size - 1). If full, enqueue should not proceed to avoid overflow.

What does the enqueue operation add to a queue?

A Removes an element from the front

B An element at the front

C An element at the rear

D Removes an element from the rear

Enqueue adds an element at the rear of the queue.

What happens if you try to enqueue in a full fixed-size queue?

A Queue overflow error occurs

B The element is added successfully

C The front pointer moves forward

D The queue becomes empty

Trying to enqueue in a full queue causes overflow error.

In a linked list queue, what pointer is updated during enqueue?

A Front pointer

B Both front and rear pointers always

C Neither pointer

D Rear pointer

The rear pointer is updated to the new node during enqueue.

What is the time complexity of enqueue operation in a queue?

A O(1)

B O(log n)

C O(n^2)

D O(n)

Enqueue is a constant time operation, O(1).

Which data structure principle does enqueue follow?

A Last-In-First-Out (LIFO)

B First-In-First-Out (FIFO)

C Random Access

D Priority based

Queue follows FIFO, so enqueue adds at the rear.

Explain the steps involved in the enqueue operation for a queue implemented using an array.

Think about how the rear index changes and what to do if the queue is empty or full.

Describe how enqueue works in a linked list based queue and how it differs from array implementation.

Focus on pointers and dynamic memory.

Practice

1. What does the enqueue operation do in a queue data structure?

easy

A. Adds an element to the rear of the queue

B. Removes an element from the front of the queue

C. Checks if the queue is empty

D. Returns the size of the queue

Solution

1. Step 1: Understand the queue operations

   In a queue, enqueue means adding an element, while dequeue means removing one.

2. Step 2: Identify the position of addition

   Elements are always added at the rear (end) of the queue during enqueue.

3. Final Answer:

   Adds an element to the rear of the queue -> Option A

4. Quick Check:

   Enqueue = Add rear [OK]

Hint: Enqueue always adds at the back of the queue [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Confusing enqueue with dequeue operation
• Thinking enqueue removes elements
• Assuming enqueue adds at the front

2. Which of the following is the correct syntax to enqueue an element 10 in a queue implemented using an array named queue with rear index rear in C?

easy

A. queue[rear] = ++10;

B. queue[rear++] = 10;

C. queue[rear] = 10++;

D. queue[++rear] = 10;

Solution

1. Step 1: Understand post-increment vs pre-increment

   Post-increment (rear++) uses rear as index then increments it. Pre-increment (++rear) increments rear first then uses it as index.

2. Step 2: Choose correct index update for enqueue

   To add at current rear position and then move rear forward, use post-increment: queue[rear++] = 10;.

3. Final Answer:

   queue[rear++] = 10; -> Option B

4. Quick Check:

   Post-increment rear after assignment [OK]

Hint: Use rear++ to assign then move rear forward [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Using pre-increment causing skip of first index
• Trying to increment the value instead of index
• Syntax errors with invalid increments

3. What will be the state of the queue array after executing the following code?

int queue[5];
int rear = -1;
queue[++rear] = 5;
queue[++rear] = 10;
queue[++rear] = 15;

medium

A. [5, 10, 0, 15, 0]

B. [0, 5, 10, 15, 0]

C. [5, 10, 15, 0, 0]

D. [15, 10, 5, 0, 0]

Solution

1. Step 1: Trace each enqueue operation

   Initially, rear = -1.
   First enqueue: ++rear = 0, queue[0] = 5.
   Second enqueue: ++rear = 1, queue[1] = 10.
   Third enqueue: ++rear = 2, queue[2] = 15.

2. Step 2: Determine final queue array state

   Positions 0,1,2 have 5,10,15 respectively. Others remain 0 (default uninitialized).

3. Final Answer:

   [5, 10, 15, 0, 0] -> Option C

4. Quick Check:

   Enqueue adds sequentially at indices 0,1,2 [OK]

Hint: Pre-increment rear before assignment fills array from index 0 [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Confusing post-increment with pre-increment
• Assuming queue starts at index 1
• Ignoring initial rear value -1

4. Identify the error in the following enqueue function for a queue implemented using an array and fix it:

void enqueue(int queue[], int *rear, int value) {
    queue[*rear] = value;
    (*rear)++;
}

medium

A. The value should be assigned after incrementing rear twice

B. The rear should not be incremented at all

C. The function should decrement rear instead

D. The rear should be incremented before assignment

Solution

1. Step 1: Analyze the enqueue logic

   The function assigns value at current rear index, then increments rear.
   This causes the first element to be placed at rear=0 if rear was 0, which is correct only if rear points to next free slot.

2. Step 2: Correct the order for standard enqueue

   Usually, rear points to last filled index, so increment rear first, then assign:
   queue[++(*rear)] = value;.

3. Final Answer:

   The rear should be incremented before assignment -> Option D

4. Quick Check:

   Increment rear first, then assign value [OK]

Hint: Increment rear before assignment to avoid overwrite [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Assigning value before incrementing rear
• Incrementing rear twice accidentally
• Decrementing rear instead of incrementing

5. Given a circular queue of size 5 with front = 3 and rear = 1, which of the following enqueue operations is valid and will not cause overflow?

hard

A. Enqueue at rear = 2

B. Enqueue at rear = 3

C. Enqueue at rear = 4

D. Enqueue at rear = 0

Solution

1. Step 1: Understand circular queue indexing

   Queue size = 5, indices 0 to 4.
   front = 3, rear = 1 means elements occupy positions from front to rear wrapping around.

2. Step 2: Check next rear position for enqueue

   Next rear = (rear + 1) % size = (1 + 1) % 5 = 2.
   If next rear equals front, queue is full (overflow). Here, next rear 2 != front 3, so enqueue at 2 is valid.
   But options show enqueue at rear = 2, 3, 4, 0. We must check which is correct next rear.

3. Step 3: Validate each option

   Enqueue at rear = 2: rear=2 is next rear, valid.
   Enqueue at rear = 3: rear=3 equals front, overflow.
   Enqueue at rear = 4: rear=4 is not next rear, invalid.
   Enqueue at rear = 0: rear=0 is not next rear, invalid.

4. Final Answer:

   Enqueue at rear = 2 -> Option A

5. Quick Check:

   Next rear = (rear+1)%size = 2, enqueue valid [OK]

Hint: Next rear = (rear + 1) mod size; must not equal front [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Ignoring circular wrap-around logic
• Enqueueing at front index causing overflow
• Assuming rear can be any index