Algorithm Learning/Binary Tree Traversal (Pre/In/Post)

Binary Tree Traversal (Pre/In/Post)

Traverse the same tree in three orders to compare behaviors.

EasyTreeRecursionTraversal

Definition

Compare three classic traversals of a binary tree: preorder, inorder, and postorder.

Key Characteristics

  • Preorder: visit root first
  • Inorder: left → root → right (sorted for BST)
  • Postorder: children first, then root

Use Cases

Used in these scenarios:

📈

BST sorted output

Inorder yields ascending order

🪓

Copy/Delete subtrees

Postorder processes children first

🧮

Expression tree eval

Use preorder/postorder to express operations

Complexity

Time Complexity

Best
O(N)
Average
O(N)
Worst
O(N)

Space Complexity

O(H)

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