1. In String Algorithms:
In the context of string algorithms, a suffix table (also known as a suffix array) is a data structure that helps to efficiently search for patterns within a string. It stores the lexicographically sorted indices of all the suffixes of a given string.
* Suffix: A suffix of a string is a substring that starts at a particular position and extends to the end of the string.
* Lexicographically sorted: The suffixes are arranged in alphabetical order, like words in a dictionary.
Example:
For the string "banana", the suffix table would look like this:
| Index | Suffix |
|---|---|
| 5 | a |
| 3 | ana |
| 1 | banana |
| 4 | na |
| 0 | banana |
| 2 | nana |
This table allows for fast pattern searching because it provides a way to quickly locate all occurrences of a given pattern within the string.
2. In Data Structures:
In the context of data structures, a suffix table might refer to a table that holds information about suffixes. This information could be anything related to the suffixes, such as:
* Length: The length of each suffix.
* Hash values: Hash values of each suffix.
* Frequency: The number of times each suffix appears in the string.
However, this usage is less common than the first definition.
In summary, the meaning of "suffix table" depends on the context. In string algorithms, it usually refers to a suffix array, a data structure for efficient pattern searching. In data structures, it might refer to a table containing information about suffixes.