The heapqueue module implements a binary heap data structure that can be used as a priority queue. They are represented as arrays for which a[k]<=a[2*k+1] and a[k]<=a[2*k+2] for all indices k (counting elements from 0). The interesting property of a heap is that a[0] is always its smallest element.
Basic usage
Example:
import std/heapqueue
var heap = [8, 2].toHeapQueue
heap.push(5)
# the first element is the lowest element
assert heap[0] == 2
# remove and return the lowest element
assert heap.pop() == 2
# the lowest element remaining is 5
assert heap[0] == 5
Usage with custom objects
To use a HeapQueue with a custom object, the < operator must be implemented.
Example:
import std/heapqueue
type Job = object
priority: int
proc `<`(a, b: Job): bool = a.priority < b.priority
var jobs = initHeapQueue[Job]()
jobs.push(Job(priority: 1))
jobs.push(Job(priority: 2))
assert jobs[0].priority == 1
proc replace[T](heap: var HeapQueue[T]; item: sink T): T
Pops and returns the current smallest value, and add the new item. This is more efficient than pop() followed by push(), and can be more appropriate when using a fixed-size heap. Note that the value returned may be larger than item! That constrains reasonable uses of this routine unless written as part of a conditional replacement.