A linked list is a linear data structure where each element is a separate object called a node. Each node contains a data field and a reference (or link) to the next node in the sequence.

Basic Concepts

  • Node: The fundamental unit of a linked list. It contains data and a reference to the next node.
  • Head: The first node in the linked list.
  • Tail: The last node in the linked list.
  • Empty List: A linked list with no nodes.

Types of Linked Lists

  • Singly Linked List: Each node has a reference to the next node.
  • Doubly Linked List: Each node has references to both the next and the previous nodes.
  • Circular Linked List: The last node points back to the first node.

Operations

  • Insertion: Adding a new node at the beginning, end, or at a specific position.
  • Deletion: Removing a node from the beginning, end, or at a specific position.
  • Traversal: Visiting each node in the linked list.
  • Search: Finding a node with a specific value.

Example

Here's a simple representation of a singly linked list:

Node 1 -> Node 2 -> Node 3 -> ... -> Node N

Each node contains the data and a reference to the next node.

More Resources

For a deeper understanding of linked lists, check out our Advanced Linked List Guide.

Linked List Diagram