What Is A Linked List? - ITU Online
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What is a Linked List?

Definition: Linked List

A linked list is a linear data structure consisting of a sequence of elements, where each element points to the next element in the sequence. This structure allows for efficient insertion and deletion of elements.

Understanding Linked Lists

A linked list is a fundamental data structure in computer science used to store a collection of elements. Unlike arrays, linked lists do not require contiguous memory allocation, making them more flexible when it comes to memory usage. Each element in a linked list is called a node, and each node contains two components: the data and a reference (or link) to the next node in the sequence.

Basic Structure of a Linked List

  1. Node: The building block of a linked list. Each node contains:
    • Data: The value or information stored in the node.
    • Next: A reference to the next node in the list.
  2. Head: A reference to the first node in the linked list.
  3. Tail: Optionally, a reference to the last node, particularly useful in doubly linked lists or circular linked lists.

Types of Linked Lists

  1. Singly Linked List: Each node points to the next node in the sequence. The last node points to null, indicating the end of the list.
  2. Doubly Linked List: Each node contains a reference to both the next and the previous node, allowing traversal in both directions.
  3. Circular Linked List: Similar to a singly or doubly linked list, but the last node points back to the head, forming a circle.
  4. Skip List: An advanced linked list where nodes are linked in multiple layers to improve search efficiency.

Benefits of Linked Lists

  1. Dynamic Size: Unlike arrays, linked lists can grow and shrink in size dynamically with each insertion or deletion.
  2. Efficient Insertions/Deletions: Adding or removing elements does not require shifting elements, making these operations efficient.
  3. Memory Utilization: Linked lists make better use of memory by allocating it as needed, avoiding the need for large contiguous memory blocks.

Uses of Linked Lists

  1. Implementing Data Structures: Linked lists are often used to implement other data structures like stacks, queues, and graphs.
  2. Memory Management: Used in dynamic memory allocation schemes, such as in operating systems.
  3. Real-Time Applications: In applications where the number of elements is unknown or changes frequently, linked lists provide flexibility.

Key Features of Linked Lists

  1. Flexibility: They can grow and shrink dynamically, providing flexibility in memory allocation.
  2. Ease of Implementation: Simplifies the implementation of complex data structures.
  3. Traversal: Allows sequential access to elements, which is efficient for certain types of operations.

Operations on Linked Lists

Insertion

Insertion in a linked list can occur at various positions:

  1. At the Beginning: Insert a new node as the new head.
  2. At the End: Traverse to the end and append the new node.
  3. At a Given Position: Traverse to the given position and insert the node.

Deletion

Deletion also occurs at various positions:

  1. From the Beginning: Remove the head node and update the head to the next node.
  2. From the End: Traverse to the end and remove the last node.
  3. From a Given Position: Traverse to the node before the given position and update its reference to skip the deleted node.

Traversal

Traversing a linked list involves visiting each node in sequence from the head to the end. In doubly linked lists, traversal can occur in both directions.

Searching

Searching for an element in a linked list involves traversing the list and comparing each node’s data with the target value.

Reverse a Linked List

Reversing a linked list changes the direction of the links so that the head becomes the tail and vice versa. This operation can be performed iteratively or recursively.

Example of a Singly Linked List in Python

Here is a basic implementation of a singly linked list in Python:

Frequently Asked Questions Related to Linked List

What are the primary differences between arrays and linked lists?

Arrays require contiguous memory allocation and have a fixed size, whereas linked lists do not require contiguous memory and can grow or shrink dynamically.

How do you reverse a linked list?

Reversing a linked list involves changing the direction of the links between nodes so that the last node becomes the head and vice versa.

What are the advantages of using a doubly linked list over a singly linked list?

A doubly linked list allows traversal in both directions (forward and backward), which can be advantageous for certain applications like undo operations in software.

When should you use a linked list over an array?

Use a linked list when you need dynamic memory allocation, frequent insertions and deletions, and when you do not require random access to elements.

Can linked lists be used to implement other data structures?

Yes, linked lists can be used to implement other data structures such as stacks, queues, and graphs.

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