(data structure)
Definition: A multidimensional search tree for points in k dimensional space. Levels of the tree are split along successive dimensions at the points.
See also binary search tree, adaptive k-d tree, point access method.
Note: After [GG98]. Robert Keith Oswald (rko9h@virginia.edu) explains, In a traditional binary search tree, records are defined by only one key. In a k-d tree, records are defined by k keys. Like a traditional binary search trees, records are inserted and returned using < and ≥. However, the key that determines the subtree to use (i.e. left or right) varies with the level in the tree. At level L, key number L mod k + 1 is used, where the root is at level 0. Therefore, the first key is used at the root, the second key at level 1, and so on until all keys have been used. The keys are used again beginning at level k.
Author: PEB
Some notes on k-d trees and other spatial data structures.
If you have suggestions, corrections, or comments, please get in touch with Paul E. Black.
Entry modified 10 January 2005.
HTML page formatted Mon Sep 11 09:46:04 2006.
Cite this as:
Paul E. Black, "k-d tree", in
Dictionary of Algorithms and Data
Structures [online], Paul E. Black, ed.,
U.S. National Institute of
Standards and Technology. 10 January 2005. (accessed TODAY)
Available from: http://www.nist.gov/dads/HTML/kdtree.html
