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Questions and Answers
What is a linked list?
What is a linked list?
A linked list is a linear or dynamic data structure defined as a collection of data elements called nodes.
The last node of the linked list contains ___ in the address part.
The last node of the linked list contains ___ in the address part.
NULL
Which of the following is NOT an operation performed on a linked list?
Which of the following is NOT an operation performed on a linked list?
What is static memory allocation?
What is static memory allocation?
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Dynamic memory allocation is done at compile time.
Dynamic memory allocation is done at compile time.
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Which memory management function is used to allocate a requested memory size in bytes?
Which memory management function is used to allocate a requested memory size in bytes?
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Linked lists can grow or shrink in size during program execution.
Linked lists can grow or shrink in size during program execution.
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Which of the following is an advantage of linked lists over arrays?
Which of the following is an advantage of linked lists over arrays?
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What is the purpose of the free() function?
What is the purpose of the free() function?
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Which part of a node in a linked list contains information about the element?
Which part of a node in a linked list contains information about the element?
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Study Notes
Linked List & Storage Representation
- A linked list is a linear, dynamic data structure made up of nodes.
- Each node consists of two parts:
- INFO Part: Contains the element's information.
- LINK/Next Part: Contains the address of the next node.
- The last node points to NULL, indicating the end of the linked list.
- The first node's address is stored in a pointer variable called Start.
- Traversing the linked list involves following the addresses from one node to the next until NULL is reached.
Operations on Linked List
- Creation: Establishes a new node.
- Traversal: Processes each element within the linked list.
- Insertion: Adds a new element to the list.
- Deletion: Removes an element from the list.
- Searching: Locates the position of an element in the list.
- Sorting: Arranges elements in a specific order (ascending or descending).
- Merging: Combines two linked lists into a single list.
Memory Allocation
Static Memory Allocation
- Allocated at compile time, with fixed size, typically using one-dimensional arrays.
- Memory for an array of N elements, each requiring 2 bytes, is N*2 consecutive bytes.
Dynamic Memory Allocation
- Allocated at runtime, facilitating flexible addition, deletion, or rearrangement of items.
- Managed using the following functions:
-
malloc(): Allocates a requested memory size and returns a pointer to the first byte.
- Example:
x = (int *) malloc(200 * sizeof(int));
allocates 400 bytes.
- Example:
- calloc(): Allocates multiple blocks of memory and initializes them to zero.
- free(): Releases previously allocated memory.
- realloc(): Changes the size of previously allocated memory.
-
malloc(): Allocates a requested memory size and returns a pointer to the first byte.
Differences Between Arrays and Linked Lists
- Dynamic vs. Static: Linked lists are dynamic, allowing resizing during program execution, while arrays are static and cannot change size.
- Memory Wastage: Linked lists reduce memory wastage since their size is not fixed. Arrays may waste memory as they allocate a predetermined size.
- Flexibility: Linked lists allow for easier addition, deletion, and rearrangement of data compared to arrays.
Limitations of Linked Lists
- Major limitations include:
- Higher memory overhead due to storage of addresses and node structures.
- Traverse time is longer than that of arrays due to sequential access.
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Description
Test your understanding of linked lists, a crucial data structure in computer science. This quiz covers the definition, operations such as creation, traversal, and memory allocation techniques associated with linked lists. Ideal for beginners looking to solidify their knowledge!