LINKED LIST
Linked List: A Dynamic Data Structure
A linked list is a linear data structure composed of nodes, where each node contains two parts:
Data: The value or information stored in the node.
Pointer (or Link): A reference to the next node in the sequence.
Unlike arrays, linked lists do not require contiguous memory allocation, making them highly flexible for dynamic data management. They are particularly useful when the size of the data set is not fixed or when frequent insertions and deletions are required.
Key features of linked lists include:
Dynamic Size: Can grow or shrink as needed, without predefined limits.
Efficient Insertions/Deletions: Operations at any position are faster compared to arrays.
Variants: Includes singly linked lists, doubly linked lists, and circular linked lists, each suited for specific use cases.
Memory Utilization: Nodes are scattered across memory, linked by pointers.
Linked lists are foundational in computer science and are used in various applications, such as managing memory, implementing stacks and queues, and creating adjacency lists for graphs.