Kd-tree

A Kd-tree (short for k-dimensional tree) is a data structure used to organize points in multi-dimensional space for efficient searching. Imagine dividing a space with straight lines—each split separates the data into smaller groups, making it quicker to find points nearby. For example, in 2D, a Kd-tree might split data with vertical and horizontal lines. When searching for the closest point or points within a certain area, the tree allows you to eliminate large sections of data, speeding up the process compared to checking every point individually. It’s widely used in computer graphics, robotics, and spatial databases.