When a B+ tree node underflows, should it merge with a sibling node or borrow from one?
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When a B+ tree node underflows, the decision to merge or borrow from a sibling node depends on the sibling's occupancy. If the sibling node has enough keys to lend some without underflowing itself (i.e., it has more than the minimum required keys), the node can borrow from it. This involves redistributing keys between the underflowing node, its parent, and the sibling node. However, if the sibling node is also at the minimum occupancy, it's more efficient to merge the underflowing node with its sibling. This involves combining their keys and removing one of the nodes, then updating the parent node accordingly.
Key Takeaways
Check the sibling node's occupancy before deciding whether to merge or borrow
Borrow from a sibling if it has more than the minimum required keys
Merge with a sibling if it's also at minimum occupancy to maintain tree balance
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