Understanding Linked Lists
Linked lists are a fundamental data structure that consist of a series of nodes. Each node contains a data field and a reference (or a link) to the next node in the sequence. This structure allows for efficient insertion and removal of elements from any position in the sequence.
Linked lists come in several variations:
- Singly Linked Lists: Each node points to the next node.
- Doubly Linked Lists: Nodes have references to both the next and previous nodes, allowing bidirectional traversal.
- Circular Linked Lists: The last node's next reference points back to the first node, creating a circular structure.
Why Use Linked Lists?
Linked lists are preferred in situations where:
- Frequent insertion and deletion of elements are required, as they can be added or removed with a time complexity of O(1).
- Memory usage needs to be dynamic and efficient, unlike arrays that require pre-allocated memory.
Example
Head -> Node1 -> Node2 -> Null
Excited to learn more? Head over to our interactive tutorials or check our Linked Lists Quiz to test your knowledge!