Linked list Basics

LinkedList is considered as one of the favored and efficient data structures. Each node of the LinkedList consists of data and a pointer to the address of the next node. The LinkedList can be implemented using many programming languages like C, Python, C#, and Java.

LinkedList paves an easy way to play with pointers. By efficiently manipulating LinkedList with the help of these pointers, you can learn advanced data structures like Trees and Graphs.

Why Learn LinkedList?

Some of the data structures you learned were contiguous memory allocations. Data structures such as Array, Queue, and Stacks are a chain of neighbors, whereas a LinkedList is considered the chain of relatives.

An Array is a linear data structure. Like an array, LinkedList is also a linear data structure. Still, the big difference between an array and a LinkedList is that an array stores the data in a contiguous memory location. A LinkedList stores data in a not so contiguous manner. The LinkedList makes use of pointers to link all its nodes.

You may think implementing an array and storing data in a contiguous location is far easier than implementing the LinkedList and managing pointers. So, why take the risk to learn LinkedList?

Yes, storing data in contiguous locations in an array is good but not an optimal solution for real-time problems where you have to put up with lots of operations on an array which later on becomes a big headache. This is where LinkedList comes into the picture. You can smartly handle all these operations and the memories used with the help of pointers.

Even though you think handling pointers may be an issue, you will soon figure out after implementing the LinkedList that handling these pointers helps you reach your optimal solution for your real-time problems, far better than struggling to find an optimal solution for your problem.

Even though an array is contiguous and easier to implement, it has several limitations that can be solved by implementing the LinkedList.

• An array has a fixed size. Thus, you always have to look out for its upper limit for storing the data. In contrast, in a LinkedList, you can easily store your data into a new memory location by creating a new node and linking it with the previous node pointer. So, you need not worry about the upper bound in the LinkedList.

• Suppose you are trying to insert new data between the array. You need to shift all the other data to its following memory location while in a LinkedList; this operation is far more manageable. While adding the new node, you just have to manipulate the new node’s pointer and change the pointer reference of the previous node to this new node, which makes your job easier.

• Deletion operation in an array also comes at its own expense, while in a LinkedList, this operation can be done more easily with the help of the pointers.

Both array and LinkedList have their pros and cons. LinkedList makes your life a lot better by helping you in solving complex problems. Also, in terms of better memory usage, LinkedList is the better approach.

The operating system uses a paging and segmentation approach for memory allocation, which is non-contiguous. The LinkedList is one such approach that is a linear but non-contiguous data structure that helps you to save a lot of memory and makes use of small chunks of free memory.

Types of LinkedList

• Singly LinkedList : A Singly LinkedList is the same as a LinkedList.

• Doubly LinkedList : Doubly LinkedList node consists of a pointer to the previous node address, data, and a pointer to the next node address. Nowadays, many operating systems use these doubly LinkedList to note all the active processes and threads.

• Circular LinkedList : Circular LinkedList is similar to Singly LinkedList, but the last node of the list has a null reference, which helps point it to the first node of the LinkedList. This leads to the creation of the circular LinkedList.

Some of the use cases of a circular LinkedList can be implemented using the doubly LinkedList as well.

Operations :

·       Traversal

Traversal is the operation that helps in accessing any node of the LinkedList. Traversal is only a one-way operation; there is no going back.

·       Insertion

Insertion is the operation to add a new element to the LinkedList.

While adding a new node, there are three test cases that you need to take care of:

1. Inserting the node at the beginning of the LinkedList.

2. Inserting the node in the middle of the LinkedList.

3. Inserting the node at the end of the LinkedList.

·       Deletion

Deletion Operation is useful to remove the existing node from the LinkedList.

While deleting a node, you need to take care of three of the test cases:

1. Deleting the node from the beginning of the LinkedList.

2. Deleting the node from the middle of the LinkedList.

3. Deleting the node at the end of the LinkedList.

·       Reverse Operation

This is one of the meticulous operations of LinkedList. In this reverse operation, you need to implement the LinkedList so that the head pointer should point to the last node of the LinkedList, and the pointers of each node are pointing to the previous node, and the LinkedList is reversed.

Applications of LinkedList

• Dynamic memory allocation
• Implemented in Queue and Stack
• Graphs, Trees, and Hash Tables
• In “undo” software’s functionality

Why This Course?

What is better than learning something from scratch? Yes, this course is something that takes up the LinkedList topic from scratch. Sign Up for this LinkedList free course on Great Learning Academy to make your building blocks of the LinkedList stronger.

The course has video content of 2.5 hours where you will learn the basics of LinkedList, the operations and also get hold of the hands-on session on LinkedList. You can also test your knowledge on LinkedList at the end of the course with the help of the quiz provided.

This course is smartly designed for Beginners like you looking forward to learning something new with a better understanding. Whether you are from a technical or non-technical background, this course will help you learn, understand, and implement LinkedList more smoothly. Hurry Up! And get hold of this Free LinkedList course Now.