# Binary Search Tree
Confidence: high
Last verified: 2026-05-22
Generation: human_only


## TL;DR

A BST stores keys in left < parent < right order. Average O(log n) operations when balanced, degrade to O(n) if unbalanced. Self-balancing variants: AVL, Red-Black, B-tree. BST is foundation for sorted maps/sets.

## Core Explanation

Traversals: inorder (sorted), preorder (serialization), postorder (deletion). Self-balancing: AVL (strict balance, ~1.44 log n height), Red-Black (relaxed, ≤2 log n height, fewer rotations). Java TreeMap, C++ std::map use Red-Black trees.

## Further Reading

- [Algorithms (4th Edition)](undefined)