Linked List in Data Structure — Types and Applications
A Linked List is a linear data structure where elements, called nodes, are linked using pointers/references rather than being stored contiguously like an array.
Types of Linked Lists
| Type | Description |
|---|---|
| Singly Linked List | Each node points only to the next node. |
| Doubly Linked List | Each node points to both the next and previous nodes. |
| Circular Linked List | The last node points back to the first node, forming a loop. |
| Circular Doubly Linked List | Combines doubly-linked and circular properties. |
Linked List vs Array
| Aspect | Array | Linked List |
|---|---|---|
| Memory | Contiguous | Non-contiguous (nodes scattered) |
| Access | O(1) random access | O(n) sequential access |
| Insert/Delete at start | O(n) | O(1) |
| Memory overhead | None extra | Extra pointer(s) per node |
Applications
- Implementing stacks, queues, and adjacency lists for graphs.
- Music/video playlists with next/previous navigation (doubly linked list).
- Round-robin scheduling (circular linked list).
- Undo/redo functionality in applications.
- Dynamic memory management in operating systems.
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