Western Governors University (WGU) ICSC2100 C949 Data Structures and Algorithms I Practice Exam

A tree is a type of data structure that is characterized by its hierarchical organization, where nodes are connected in a parent-child relationship. In this structure, a single node is designated as the root (the top-most node) and can have zero or more child nodes. Each child node can themselves act as a parent to their own child nodes, thus creating a branching structure that allows for various levels of hierarchy.

This parent-child relationship is fundamental for representing hierarchical data. For example, a file system on a computer is often represented as a tree, where folders can contain files (children) and can also contain subfolders (more children), creating an intuitive way to organize and navigate through data.

In contrast, the other options mentioned represent different types of data structures. A stack is a linear data structure that follows a Last In, First Out (LIFO) principle. A queue operates on a First In, First Out (FIFO) basis, where elements are added at one end and removed from the other. A doubly ended queue allows insertion and deletion of elements from both ends. These data structures do not support the hierarchical structure of parent-child relationships as found in trees.