Linked List Introduction
Imagine a treasure hunt where each clue points to the next clue. You start at the first clue, follow it to the second, and so on until you find the treasure. A linked list is exactly that – a linear data structure where each element (node) contains data and a reference (link) to the next node.
Unlike arrays, linked list elements are not stored in contiguous memory locations. They are connected via pointers. This allows dynamic size and efficient insertion/deletion at the cost of slower access.
Node Structure in Java
public class Node {
int data;
Node next;
public Node(int data) {
this.data = data;
this.next = null;
}
}
Why Linked List?
- Dynamic size – grows/shrinks as needed.
- Insertion/deletion O(1) if we have reference to node.
- No memory waste (no unused space).
Drawbacks
- Access is O(n) (no random access).
- Extra memory for pointers.
- Not cache-friendly (non-contiguous memory).
Two Minute Drill
- Linked list: linear collection of nodes, each pointing to next.
- Node has data and reference to next node.
- Dynamic size, efficient insert/delete, O(n) access.
- Basic building block for stacks, queues, etc.
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