Summary

  1. A linked list is a fundamental data structure used in computer science to store and manage collections of elements. Unlike arrays, which store elements in contiguous memory locations, linked lists consist of nodes, each containing a data element and a reference (or pointer) to the next node in the sequence.
  2. This arrangement allows for dynamic memory allocation and efficient insertion and deletion operations, as nodes can be easily added or removed without requiring contiguous memory blocks.
  3. Linked lists come in various forms, including singly linked lists, doubly linked lists, and circular linked lists. In a singly linked list, each node has a reference to the next node in the sequence, while in a doubly linked list, each node has references to both the next and previous nodes. Circular linked lists form a closed loop where the last node points back to the first node.