Linked lists

Abstract

A linked list is a data structure that stores a collection of data items of the same or similar types. This data structure is dynamic in the sense that the number of data items can change. A linked list can grow and shrink during the execution of the program that is manipulating it. Recall that an array is also a data structure that stores a collection of data items, but the array is static; once it is created, more elements cannot be added to it. Linked lists and arrays are considered low-level data structures that are used to implement higher-level data structures, such as stacks and queues that are manipulated by an appropriate algorithm. This chapter explains in some detail the basic forms of simple linked lists, double-ended linked lists, and multiple linked lists. The operations possible on linked lists and some applications that manipulate linked lists are also discussed.