Stack and Queue — Kids' Toy Box Adventure!

Source: Dev.to

Stack: The Cookie Tower Game

A stack is like building a tower of cookies. You can only put a cookie on top or take one from the top. The last cookie you add is the first one you eat!

Real‑life examples

• Stacking plates: the top one gets washed first
• Undo button in games: removes the last move you made

Try it with simple code (Python)

cookie_tower = []  # Empty tower

# Add cookies (on top)
cookie_tower.append("chocolate")
cookie_tower.append("strawberry")
print("Tower:", cookie_tower)  # ['chocolate', 'strawberry']

# Take cookie (from top)
top_cookie = cookie_tower.pop()
print("Eat:", top_cookie)  # strawberry
print("Left:", cookie_tower)  # ['chocolate']

Rule: Last In, First Out (LIFO) — like undoing your latest drawing stroke!

Queue: The Line‑Up Train

A queue is like kids waiting for the school bus. The first kid in line gets on first! Toys go in at the back and leave from the front.

Real‑life examples

• Buying tickets at the movies: first to arrive, first to enter
• Printer jobs: first file sent prints first

Try it with simple code (Python)

train_line = []  # Empty line

# Join line (at back)
train_line.append("Amy")
train_line.append("Ben")
print("Line:", train_line)  # ['Amy', 'Ben']

# Leave line (from front)
first_out = train_line.pop(0)
print("Next:", first_out)  # Amy
print("Left:", train_line)  # ['Ben']

Rule: First In, First Out (FIFO) — fair and orderly, like recess lines!

How to Play Right Now

Get started

• Open Python on your computer (or use python.org online).
• Copy the code into a file called toy_boxes.py.
• Run it: python toy_boxes.py in the command line.

What you’ll see

Tower: ['chocolate', 'strawberry']
Eat: strawberry
Left: ['chocolate']
Line: ['Amy', 'Ben']
Next: Amy
Left: ['Ben']

Where Do They Hide in Real Life?

• Stack: Browser back button, puzzle game moves.
• Queue: Supermarket checkout, video game wait lists.

You’re now a toy box master! Add “apple” or “banana” to both and see who comes out first. Have fun and share with friends! 🚂🍪