generate_forest.C File Reference

Example demonstrating forest generation from binary trees. More...

#include <cstdlib>
#include <ctime>
#include <iostream>
#include <fstream>
#include <tclap/CmdLine.h>
#include <tpl_tree_node.H>
#include <generate_tree.H>
#include <tpl_binTree.H>

Include dependency graph for generate_forest.C:

Go to the source code of this file.

Classes
struct	WriteNode
	Functor to convert tree node to string for output. More...

Functions
static void	printNode (BinTreeVtl< int >::Node *node, int, int)
int	main (int argc, char *argv[])

Detailed Description

Example demonstrating forest generation from binary trees.

This example demonstrates converting a binary search tree into a forest (collection of trees) representation. A forest is useful for representing hierarchical structures where nodes can have multiple children (n-ary trees), which is more flexible than binary trees.

What is a Forest?

Graph Theory Definition

A forest is a collection of trees. In graph theory:

• A tree is a connected acyclic graph
• A forest is a disjoint union of trees (may be disconnected)
• Forest = collection of trees with no cycles

In This Context

We convert a binary tree (each node has at most 2 children) to a general tree/forest (each node can have any number of children):

• Binary tree: Limited to 2 children per node
• General tree: Unlimited children per node
• Forest: Collection of general trees

Conversion Process

Algorithm Steps

The example performs the following:

1. Generate binary tree: Creates a random binary search tree with n nodes
2. Traverse binary tree: Visits all nodes in the binary tree
3. Convert structure: Transforms binary tree to general tree:
   • Binary tree nodes → General tree nodes
   • Binary tree edges → General tree parent-child relationships
4. Output forest: Writes forest structure in suitable format

Conversion Details

The conversion preserves the hierarchical structure:

• Root nodes: Binary tree root becomes forest root
• Child relationships: Binary tree children become forest children
• Node data: Key values preserved
• Structure: Hierarchical relationships maintained

Applications

Tree Visualization

• Format conversion: Convert between tree representations
• Visualization tools: Some tools work better with n-ary trees
• Display: More flexible display options

Data Structure Conversion

• Adapting algorithms: Algorithms designed for n-ary trees
• Flexibility: General trees more flexible than binary
• Representation: Better representation for some problems

Algorithm Testing

• Test cases: Generate test cases for tree algorithms
• Format compatibility: Test algorithms on different formats
• Validation: Verify algorithm correctness on different structures

Format Conversion

• Interoperability: Convert between different tree formats
• Data exchange: Exchange tree data between systems
• Standardization: Convert to standard formats

Forest Properties

Structure

• Multiple roots: Forest can have multiple root nodes
• Disconnected: Trees in forest are disconnected
• Hierarchical: Each tree maintains hierarchy

Advantages Over Binary Trees

• Flexibility: Unlimited children per node
• Natural representation: Better for some problems
• Simpler algorithms: Some algorithms simpler for n-ary trees

Usage

# Generate forest with 50 nodes
generate_forest -n 50 -o forest.txt
 
# Use specific seed for reproducibility
generate_forest -n 100 -s 12345 -o output.txt
 
# Generate large forest
generate_forest -n 1000 -o large_forest.txt

Output Format

The forest is output in a format suitable for:

• Visualization: Can be visualized with tree tools
• Processing: Can be processed by tree algorithms
• Storage: Can be saved and loaded later

Example Use Cases

File System Representation

• Directories: Can have any number of subdirectories
• Natural fit: General trees match file system structure
• Navigation: Easier navigation than binary representation

Organizational Charts

• Hierarchy: Represent organizational structures
• Flexibility: Managers can have any number of subordinates
• Visualization: Better visualization than binary trees

XML/HTML Parsing

• DOM trees: Represent document structure
• Nested elements: Elements can have any number of children
• Natural representation: Matches document structure

See also

generate_tree.H Tree generation utilities

tpl_tree_node.H N-ary tree node structure

tpl_binTree.H Binary tree structures

ntreepic.C N-ary tree visualization (related)

Author

Leandro Rabindranath León

Definition in file generate_forest.C.

Function Documentation

main()

int main	(	int	argc,
		char *	argv[]
	)

Definition at line 188 of file generate_forest.C.

References Aleph::destroy_tree(), Aleph::destroyRec(), Aleph::GenBinTree< NodeType, Key, Compare >::getRoot(), Aleph::GenBinTree< NodeType, Key, Compare >::insert(), Aleph::maps(), output, Aleph::preOrderRec(), printNode(), root(), Aleph::GenBinTree< NodeType, Key, Compare >::search(), and Aleph::GenBinTree< NodeType, Key, Compare >::verifyBin().

printNode()

static void printNode ( BinTreeVtl< int >::Node *  node, int  , int    )

static

Definition at line 172 of file generate_forest.C.

References Aleph::maps().

Referenced by main().