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Singly Linked List

A singly linked list is a linear data structure made up of nodes, each containing data and a pointer to the next node, allowing for efficient insertions and deletions. Key operations include insertion, deletion, and traversal, with the head node serving as the starting point of the list. While they offer dynamic memory allocation and ease of modification, singly linked lists have disadvantages such as less efficient element access and higher memory usage due to pointer overhead.

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33 views11 pages

Singly Linked List

A singly linked list is a linear data structure made up of nodes, each containing data and a pointer to the next node, allowing for efficient insertions and deletions. Key operations include insertion, deletion, and traversal, with the head node serving as the starting point of the list. While they offer dynamic memory allocation and ease of modification, singly linked lists have disadvantages such as less efficient element access and higher memory usage due to pointer overhead.

Uploaded by

247r1a66k7
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Singly Linked List

SlideMake.com
Introduction to Singly Linked Lists

A singly linked list is a linear data


structure consisting of nodes.

Each node contains a data field and a


reference (or link) to the next node in
the sequence.

This structure allows for efficient


insertions and deletions from any
position in the list.
Structure of a Node

A node in a singly linked list typically


contains two components: data and a
pointer to the next node.

The data field can hold any type of


information, including integers,
strings, or complex objects.

The next pointer is crucial as it


establishes the connection to the
subsequent node in the list.
Head and Tail of the List

The first node of a singly linked list is


referred to as the head.

The head node is essential for


accessing the entire list, as it serves
as the starting point.

The last node in the list points to null,


indicating the end of the list.
Basic Operations

Common operations on singly linked


lists include insertion, deletion, and
traversal.

Insertion can occur at the beginning,


end, or any specified position in the
list.

Deletion involves removing a node


and adjusting pointers to maintain the
list integrity.
Insertion in Singly Linked Lists

Inserting a new node at the beginning


requires adjusting the head pointer to
point to the new node.

For insertion at the end, the current


last node's next pointer is updated to
point to the new node.

Inserting at a specific position


involves navigating to the desired
location and updating pointers
accordingly.
Deletion in Singly Linked Lists

To delete a node, the list must first be


traversed to find the target node.

The previous node's next pointer is


updated to skip over the deleted
node.

If the head node is deleted, the head


pointer is adjusted to point to the next
node.
Traversing a Singly Linked List

Traversal involves visiting each node


in the list to access or manipulate the
data.

This is typically done using a loop that


continues until the end of the list is
reached.

Each node is accessed through its


next pointer, starting from the head.
Advantages of Singly Linked Lists

Singly linked lists provide dynamic


memory allocation, allowing for
efficient use of memory.

They enable easy insertion and


deletion operations without needing
to shift elements, unlike arrays.

This makes them suitable for


applications where frequent changes
to the data structure are required.
Disadvantages of Singly Linked Lists

Accessing elements in a singly linked


list is less efficient than in an array, as
it requires traversal from the head.

Memory usage can be higher due to


the overhead of storing pointers for
each node.

Additionally, reverse traversal is not


possible without additional data
structures.
Applications of Singly Linked Lists

Singly linked lists are commonly used


in implementing stacks and queues
due to their dynamic nature.

They are also utilized in algorithms


that require frequent insertions and
deletions, such as certain sorting
algorithms.

Furthermore, these lists are


foundational in various data
structures, including hash tables and
adjacency lists for graph
representations.

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