suffixnotation

Suffix notation, also known as postfix notation, is a mathematical notation in which operators follow their operands. This is in contrast to the more common infix notation, where operators are placed between operands, and prefix notation, where operators precede their operands. Suffix notation is primarily used in certain types of calculators and in computer programming, particularly in the implementation of expression evaluation algorithms.

In suffix notation, each operator follows all of its operands. For example, the expression "3 + 4" in infix notation would be written as "3 4 +" in suffix notation. Similarly, the expression "(3 + 4) * 5" in infix notation would be written as "3 4 + 5 *" in suffix notation.

One of the main advantages of suffix notation is that it eliminates the need for parentheses to specify the order of operations. This is because the position of the operator relative to its operands implicitly defines the order of evaluation. For example, in the expression "3 4 + 5 *", the "+" operator is applied to "3" and "4" before the "*" operator is applied to the result and "5".

Suffix notation is also used in the Reverse Polish Notation (RPN) calculators, which were popular in the past due to their simplicity and the elimination of the need for parentheses. However, with the advent of modern calculators and computers, infix notation has become the standard due to its familiarity and ease of use.

In computer science, suffix notation is used in the implementation of expression evaluation algorithms, such as the Shunting Yard algorithm and the evaluation of postfix expressions. These algorithms are used to convert expressions from infix notation to suffix notation and vice versa, and to evaluate expressions in suffix notation.