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C++ Linked List Data Structure

This document discusses linked lists, which are linear data structures made up of connected nodes that each store data and a pointer to the next node. It explains that the first node is called the head and the last points to null. It then demonstrates how to create a linked list in C++ with three nodes storing integers 1, 2, and 3 and connected by their next pointers. Finally, it provides time and space complexity analysis of linked list operations and examples of applications like stacks, queues, and graphs.

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Ishaan katara
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39 views5 pages

C++ Linked List Data Structure

This document discusses linked lists, which are linear data structures made up of connected nodes that each store data and a pointer to the next node. It explains that the first node is called the head and the last points to null. It then demonstrates how to create a linked list in C++ with three nodes storing integers 1, 2, and 3 and connected by their next pointers. Finally, it provides time and space complexity analysis of linked list operations and examples of applications like stacks, queues, and graphs.

Uploaded by

Ishaan katara
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
Download as pdf or txt
Download as pdf or txt
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Linked list Data Structure

In this tutorial, you will learn about linked list data structure and it's
implementation in Python, Java, C, and C++.

A linked list is a linear data structure that includes a series of connected


nodes. Here, each node stores the data and the address of the next node.
For example,

Linked list Data Structure


You have to start somewhere, so we give the address of the first node a
special name called HEAD . Also, the last node in the linked list can be
identified because its next portion points to NULL .

Linked lists can be of multiple types: singly, doubly, and circular linked
list. In this article, we will focus on the singly linked list.

Note: You might have played the game Treasure Hunt, where each clue
includes the information about the next clue. That is how the linked list
operates.

Representation of Linked List


Let's see how each node of the linked list is represented. Each node
consists:

• A data item

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• An address of another node

We wrap both the data item and the next node reference in a struct as:

struct node
{
int data;
struct node *next;
};

Understanding the structure of a linked list node is the key to having a


grasp on it.

Each struct node has a data item and a pointer to another struct node. Let
us create a simple Linked List with three items to understand how this
works.

/* Initialize nodes */
struct node *head;
struct node *one = NULL;
struct node *two = NULL;
struct node *three = NULL;

/* Allocate memory */
one = malloc(sizeof(struct node));
two = malloc(sizeof(struct node));
three = malloc(sizeof(struct node));

/* Assign data values */


one->data = 1;
two->data = 2;
three->data=3;

/* Connect nodes */
one->next = two;
two->next = three;
three->next = NULL;

/* Save address of first node in head */

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head = one;

If you didn't understand any of the lines above, all you need is a refresher
on pointers and structs.
In just a few steps, we have created a simple linked list with three nodes.

Linked list Representation


The power of a linked list comes from the ability to break the chain and
rejoin it. E.g. if you wanted to put an element 4 between 1 and 2, the steps
would be:

• Create a new struct node and allocate memory to it.

• Add its data value as 4

• Point its next pointer to the struct node containing 2 as the data value

• Change the next pointer of "1" to the node we just created.

Doing something similar in an array would have required shifting the


positions of all the subsequent elements.

Linked List Utility


Lists are one of the most popular and efficient data structures, with
implementation in every programming language like C++

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Apart from that, linked lists are a great way to learn how pointers work. By
practicing how to manipulate linked lists, you can prepare yourself to learn
more advanced data structures like graphs and trees.

Linked List Implementations in C++ Examples


// Linked list implementation in C++

#include <bits/stdc++.h>
#include <iostream>
using namespace std;

// Creating a node
class Node {
public:
int value;
Node* next;
};

int main() {
Node* head;
Node* one = NULL;
Node* two = NULL;
Node* three = NULL;

// allocate 3 nodes in the heap


one = new Node();
two = new Node();
three = new Node();

// Assign value values


one->value = 1;
two->value = 2;
three->value = 3;

// Connect nodes
one->next = two;
two->next = three;

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three->next = NULL;

// print the linked list value


head = one;
while (head != NULL) {
cout << head->value;
head = head->next;
}
}

Linked List Complexity


Time Complexity

Worst case Average Case

Search O(n) O(n)

Insert O(1) O(1)

Deletion O(1) O(1)

Space Complexity: O(n)

Linked List Applications


• Dynamic memory allocation

• Implemented in stack and queue

• In undo functionality of softwares


• Hash tables, Graphs

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