B-Trees for Disk Storage: Balanced Search Trees Explained | Chapter 18 of Introduction to Algorithms
B-Trees for Disk Storage: Balanced Search Trees Explained | Chapter 18 of introduction to algorithms B-trees are a cornerstone of external memory data structures, providing efficient, balanced search trees optimized for disk-based storage systems. Chapter 18 of introduction to algorithms details how B-trees manage massive datasets with minimal disk access, making them the backbone of databases and file systems. Watch the full chapter summary below for an in-depth explanation of B-trees, their operations, and practical use in storage systems. Subscribe to Last Minute Lecture for more introduction to algorithms tutorials! Structure and Advantages of B-Trees B-trees are rooted, balanced trees where all leaves are at the same depth. Unlike binary search trees, B-tree nodes can contain multiple keys and have a high branching factor (often between 50 and 2000 children), minimizing tree height and reducing the number of slow disk accesses per operation. Each node stores: ...