| A linked list is a linear data structure used for organizing and storing a collection of elements called nodes. Unlike arrays, which use contiguous memory locations to store elements, linked lists use a set of nodes where each node contains a data element and a reference (or link) to the next node in the sequence. The last node typically points to null or contains a null reference, indicating the end of the list.
The basic building block of a linked list is a node, and each node has two components:
Data (or Value): This is the information stored in the node, representing the element in the linked list.
Next (or Link/Pointer): This is a reference to the next node in the sequence. It indicates the connection between nodes and defines the order in which they are linked.
There are various types of linked lists, including:
Singly Linked List: Each node points to the next node in the sequence. It forms a unidirectional chain.
Doubly Linked List: Each node contains a reference to both the next node and the previous node in the sequence. It allows for bidirectional traversal.
Circular Linked List: In a circular linked list, the last node points back to the first node, creating a loop.
Linked lists provide dynamic memory allocation, efficient insertion and deletion of elements (especially in the middle), and flexibility in managing memory compared to arrays. However, they also have some drawbacks, such as slower random access to elements and the additional memory required for storing the links.
Click link for image:
[https://miro.medium.com/v2/resize:fit:1400/0*0XVK02Guco9xJMJL.png](https://) |