How to use C language link list

In C language, a linked list is a dynamic data structure composed of nodes connected to each other, each node contains data and a pointer to the next node. The use of linked lists includes operations such as creating linked lists, traversing linked lists, inserting nodes and deleting nodes.

Use of linked lists in C language

1. Introduction

A linked list is a dynamic data structure consisting of a series of nodes connected to each other. In C language, linked lists are usually implemented as structures, each node contains data and a pointer to the next node.

2. Node structure

A typical linked list node structure might look like this:

 <code class="c">struct node { int data; struct node *next; };</code>

in:

• data field stores node data.
• The next field stores a pointer to the next node.

3. Create a link table

Creating a linked list involves the following steps:

• Allocate memory for the first node.
• Set the data field of the first node to the data to be stored.
• Set the next field of the first node to NULL to indicate the end of the linked list.

4. Traverse the linked list

To traverse a linked list, follow these steps:

• Start with the first node.
• Access the data of the current node.
• Move to the next node (via the next pointer).
• Repeat steps 2 and 3 until the last node is reached (nULL next field is NULL ).

5. Insert node

• Insert at the head:

  • Create a new node.
  • Point the next field of the new node to the current head node.
  • Set the new node as the head node.

• Insert at the tail:

  • Iterate over the linked list and find the last node.
  • Create a new node.
  • Point the next field of the last node to the new node.

• Insert at a specific location:

  • Iterate over the linked list and find the node before the position you want to insert.
  • Create a new node.
  • Point the next field of the new node to the node where you want to insert.
  • Insert the new node into the next field of the previous node.

6. Delete nodes

• Delete the head node:

  • Move the head node to the next node.

• Delete the tail node:

  • Iterate over the linked list and find the last node.
  • Set the next field of the previous node of the last node to NULL .

• Delete nodes in a specific location:

  • Iterate over the linked list and find the node before the node you want to delete.
  • The next field of the node to be deleted points to the next node to which the node to be deleted.

7. Destroy the link list

Destroying a linked list involves freeing all nodes allocated memory:

• Start from the beginning node.
• Saves the pointer of the current node to the next node.
• Release the current node.
• Continue with steps 2 and 3 until the linked list is empty.

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