Immutable Tree Data Structure with Incremental Bi-directional Pointers

The patent segments the tree into two distinct components: a private immutable tree containing the core data structure with uni-directional pointers, and a public tree with bi-directional pointers that provides access functionality. This segmentation allows the immutable private tree to be reused across multiple consumers while the public tree handles modification operations, eliminating the need to recreate the entire tree structure for small changes.

The public tree acts as an intermediary between consumers and the private immutable tree. It provides the necessary bi-directional pointer functionality for ease of operation while the private tree remains unchanged and reusable. The public tree mediates access requests, allowing consumers to interact with the tree structure without compromising the reusability of the underlying immutable data.

The private immutable tree is constructed in advance with the complete and correct data structure, ensuring data integrity from the outset. Once created, this immutable tree can be safely reused by multiple consumers without modification, eliminating the need for repeated recreation and the associated resource consumption while maintaining reliability through its unchangeable nature.

Instead of discarding and recreating the entire tree for small modifications, the patent recovers and reuses the immutable private tree structure. The public tree handles modifications locally without affecting the underlying private tree, allowing the system to discard only the minimal necessary changes while recovering and reusing the majority of the tree structure, thus conserving processing resources.

The patent adds another dimension to the tree structure by creating a public tree layer that provides bi-directional navigation capabilities. While the private tree maintains uni-directional pointers for reusability, the public tree introduces upward and downward reference functionality, allowing consumers to navigate the tree structure freely without compromising the immutability and reusability of the private tree.

The public tree is nested around the private immutable tree, with the public tree containing references to the private tree nodes. This nested structure allows the public tree to provide enhanced navigation capabilities including bi-directional pointers, while the private tree remains intact and reusable. The nesting enables the inner private tree to maintain its simple uni-directional structure for efficiency while the outer public tree provides the necessary operational flexibility.